467 
B2 

3V 1 



•CENTENNIAL DRAMA 




MISSOURI 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO 



MISSOURI 
One Hundred Years Ago 



THE SAINT LOUIS 

MISSOURI CENTENNIAL 

ASSOCIATION 



OFFICERS 

David R. Francis, Honorary President 

LiLBURN G. McNair, Assistant to Honorary Pres. 

John H. Gundlach, Executive President 

Wm. W. LaBeaume, Executive Vice-President 

Charles F. Hatfield, Secretary 

J. Sheppard Smith, Treasurer 

E. M. ViOLETTE, Historian 

A. O. Wilson, Chairman Finance Committee 

FuQUA Turner, Executive Secretary 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 



W. K. BlXBY 

Arthur E. Bostwick 
Forrest C. Donnell 
James R. Dunn 
Isaac A. Hedges 
Mayor Henry W 
Morton J. May 
Nat. L. Moffitt 
Edward V. Papin 
Charles P. Pettus 
Leo Rassieur 
Daniel A. Ruebel 



A. L. Shapleigh 
Walter B. Stevens 
Collins Thompson 
Dr. H. M. Whelpley 
M. L. Wilkinson 
Kiel A. O. Wilson 

Mrs. W. T. Donovan 
Mrs. F. H. Littlefield 
Mrs. N. a. McMillan 
Mrs. John S. Payne 
Mrs. a. E. Reton 
Mrs. E. T. Senseney 



[n] 



MISSOURI 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO 

by 

THOMAS WOOD STEVENS 

M 

Produced Under the General Direction 
of 

WILLIAM W. LA BEAUME 

Assisted by 

ROBERT HANNA 

Chairman of the Production Committee 



IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH 

ANNIVERSARY OF MISSOURI'S ADMISSION TO 

THE UNION 



THE COLISEUM 
SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI 
October iith to i^ih^ ig2i 




THE SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI 
CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION 



Copyright 1921, by 
Thomas Wood Stevens 



.SS2. 



m -5 1921 
©CI.D 59067 



The Photographs Illustrating this Book are by 
Kajiwara 



#n # I 



MISSOURI — One Hundred Years Ago 

Programme as Originally Produced By 
The St. Louis Missouri Centennial Association 

In Commemoration of the 

One"Hundredth Anniversary of Missouri's 

Admission to the Union. 

Under the General Direction of 
William W. LaBeaume 

Written and Directed by 
Thomas Wood Stevens 

Assisted by 

Robert Hanna 

Chairman of the Production Committee 

Music by Frederic Fischer — Noel Poepping — Gerald Tyler 

Dramatis Personae 
In the Prologue 

The Spirit of Missouri L.?^^^A,^^^^^\?^!l^'''''' 

\Miss Charity M. Grace 

A Wilderness Spirit Miss Alice Rhodus 

rpi r>' o • -i. / Miss Mae Green 

The River Spirit. jj^j^^ Frances Broerman 

The Manitou Tawiskaron Miss Viola Goeke 

The Manitou Nanabozho Mr. Manuel Essman 

The Medicine Man Mr. Leo Vierheller 

The Black Gown Mr. Gustavus Tuckerman 

The Explorer Mr. A. B. Murphey 

The Trapper Mr. J. A. Hardy 

The Miner Mr. Jerome Simon 

The Adventurer Mr. Ray Mountain 

The Frenchman Mr. E. L. Applewhite 

The Spaniard Mr. David Friedman 

The American Mr. Urban Dames 

Strife. . Mr. W. H. Hoppe 

The Spirit of Jefferson Mr. R. W. Bruner 

The Spirit of Napoleon Mr. Edgar P. Shutz 

[V] 



In The Play 

The Host Mr. John J. Hanley 

The River Man Mr. Peter B. Gibson 

The First Gambler Mr. R. H. Simpson 

The Second Gambler Mr. George Mattingly 

The Constable Mr. Owen B. Tillay 

Hamilton Rowan Gamble Mr. Frank Somerville 

Judge J. B. C. Lucas Mr. Harry McClain 

James Bridges Mr. Gilbert C. Goodlett 

The Hostess Mrs. R. W. Bruner 

Mrs. Coalter Mrs. William Scheville 

Kibbie— the Head Hostler Mr. Blanchard McKee 

David Barton Mr. Daniel Bartlett 

Alexander McNair Mr. John P. Sweeney 

Thomas Hart Benton Mr. David O'Neil 

Pierre Chouteau, Jr Mr. Hector Pasmezoglu 

Marie P. Leduc Mr. Harman C. Steck 

Bernard Pratte Mr. Robert J. Liebe 

The Slave Dealer Mr. Anselm B. Murphy 

Edward Bates Mr. Culver Hastedt 

Caroline Coalter Miss Florence Walters 

Luke Lawless Mr. David Friedman 

Auguste Chouteau Mr. Henry de Lecluse 

Madame Chouteau Mrs. Walter B. Douglas 

Mrs. de Mun Mrs. Geo. E. Norton 

Dr. Quarles Mr. J. A. Hardy 

Dr. Farrar Mr. Ray Mountain 

Joshua Barton Mr. Robert Garvey 

Manuel Lisa Mr. Howard Rhodus 

Henry Dodge Mr. E. L. Applewhite 

Isaac Henry Mr. Owen B. Tillay 

Julia Coalter Miss Charlotte Coombe 

McFerron Mr. W. H. Hoppe 

General Ashley Mr. George W. Briggs 

Daniel Ralls Mr. Robert J. Liebe 

Clerk of the Legislature Mr. Edgar P. Schutz 

Mandy Miss Rhea MacAdams 

Charles Lucas Mr. Percy Ramsey 

Daniel Boone Mr. Sam Goddard 

Nathan Boone Mr. W. H. Hoppe, Jr. 

John Smith T Mr. David A Jones 

John Scott, Territorial Delegate. . . .Mr. R. W. Bruner 

[VI] 



Copy Boy, from the Enquirer Mr. George Beemarkt 

Joseph Charless, of the Gazette . . Mr. Urban L. Dames 

Gov. William Clark Mr. Gustavus Tuckerman 

An Indian Chief Mr. Leo Vierheller 

A Despatch Rider Mr. W. H. Hoppe, Jr. 

In the Epilogue 

Missouri . . / ^^s. George Gellhorn 

iMiss Charity M. Grace 

Saint Louis Mr. David Friedman 

Strife Mr. W. H. Hoppe 

DANCE GROUPS IN PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE 

Margaret Flishert, Louise Winkleman, Bernice Maffatt, Clover 
Kuntzman, Marie Heintze, Evelyn Egelhoff, Verna Geske, Greer 
Flachmeir, Charlotte Reynolds, Eunice Meyer, Anna Klausman, Bessie 
Betts, Margery Runde, Caroline Herman, Charlotte Vandegrif, Dorothy 
Vesey, Emma Davis, Helen Fitzsimmons, Jennett Lipp, Thelma Witzig, 
Viola Noble, Myrtle Voss, Estelle Eyesmann, Kathryne Meisner, 
Nadme Settle, Viola Kant, Adele Ehrlich, Agnes Philips, Ruth Fredrick, 
Grizelda Heslep, Virginia Edwards, Martha Baits, Gertrude West, 
Edna Ehrlich, Ruth Parker, Edith Volkmann, Ann Agress, Ethel 
Barrett, Helen Streit, Mary O'Donnell, Corinne Hachtman, Dorothy 
Greahsh, Mary Kruse, Ethel Maleker, Ida Rothberg, Sarah Goodman, 
Jennet Renter, Lucille Bradley, Beatrice Coleman, Francis Bell, Lillian 
Carmen, Ruth Affelder, Niema Gebery, Pearl Wallace, Margaret 
btefhens, Edna Stefhens, Mable Liclerg, Gertrude Lenz, Irma Nicholas, 
Minnie Mandelkern, Henrietta Affelder, Margaret Weiler, Rossela 
Kaufman, Helen Blumenthal, Rose Adler, Esther Johnson, Mable 
Bowling, Adele Seidel, Mary Burke, Ellen Chapman, Sarah Katz, Ethel 
Fortos, Winifred Williams, Dorothy Chard, Dorothy McLeod, Jemiy 
Gill May Mullen, Katherine Mullen, Pearl Fogarty, Gussie Rosenbalm, 
Ruth Donnelly, Esther Donnelly, Dorothy Winters, Marian Nussbam, 
Alice Anderson, May Kruse, Jennett Renter, Celine Eax, Vera Kemper, 
Lillian Hankemeyer, Ruth Downey, Mae Green, Frances Broerman. 

GROUP LEADERS AND CITIZENS 

By the Junior Chamber of Commerce 
H. J. Krusz and Andrew Mungenast, Committee in Charge 

George Fishwick, R. H. Simpson, C. P. Ballard, Harry Deeken 
J. W. Norwine, F. E. Norwine, Jr., A. F. Paulter, W. H. Barthel, Roy 
Renz, A. R. Hartstack, Herbert Rhein, W. H. Reinhardt, Milton 
Leonhardt, A. R. Morris, L. C. Hughes, E. W. Pollard, V. E. Koch 
Wm. Waninger, C. Roberts, Chas. F. Cooley, Jr., Ray Mills, H J 
Krusz, D. L. Holmes, D. J. Beebe, P. H. Reis, E. F. Werner, J. A. Zupez 
L. Dalton, A. J. Beyer, L. F. Grothman, W. F. Ahlert, G. W. Turner', 

[vii] 



I. H. Hopmann, W. P. Miller, B. H. Durbin, E. Schwarz, Jos. E. Loiseau, 
Abe Ashner, P. H. Burg, Ben Axelbaum, F. G. Clifton, L. R. Traughber, 
X Johnson, C. L. Haupt, J. L. Walker, Geo. Lowney, E. J. Herman, 
J, Parsons, A. J. Fries, H. Silkerson, Leonard Maune, O. Vahlkamp, 
Qinar Storey, P. D. Gark, W. K. Finch, Wm. Redmond, E. C. Stein- 
brueck, J. E. Murphey, S. S. Faires, R. Laws, Henry Siekman, 
V. Teachenor, Hy. C. Bokel, A. C. Mungenast, E. P. Shutz, J. Hartig, 
Al. Hahn, W. F. Beck, E. L. Daab. 



Scenes of the Play 

The Prologue — A Cliff by the two Rivers. 
T^iiE, Play — Act 1, The Erection of the State. 

Scene 1— Events of the Years 1816 to 1820. 

Scene 2 — The Summer of 1820. 
Act II. The Struggle for Admission. 

Scene 1— The Autumn of 1820. 

Scene 2— The Spring of 1821. 
The scene of the play is before a Tavern, representing 
at various times the Mansion House and the Missouri 
Hotel, in Saint Louis. 
The Epilogue — The Celebration of the Hundred Years. 



STAFF OF THE PRODUCTION 

Director, Thomas Wood Stevens 

Assistant Directors, Joseph Solari, Harry McClain. 

Musical Director, Frederic Fischer 

Associate Musical Director and Composer of the Music 

for the Drama, Noel Poepping 
Composer of Music for the Prologue, Gerald Tyler 
Composer of Music for the Epilogue, Frederic Fischer 
Art Director, Dawson Watson 
Director of Dancing, Adeline Rotty 
Costume Director, Margaret Breen 
Director of Lighting, Ralf Toensfelt 
Wardrobe Director, Mrs. Wm. M. Steele 
Stage Managers, Rodowe Abeken, Frank Somerville, 

Joseph Rouveyrol, Edgar Roy, J. A. Robinson 
Scenery by Toomey and Volland, and Berger & Son 
Decorations by the Missouri Tent and Awning Co. 
Costumes by M. J. Clarke 
Photographs by Kajiwara 

[viii] 



COMMUNITY DRAMA IN SAINT LOUIS 

And the Purposes of 
THE CENTENNIAL DRAMA 
by 
William Wood LaBeaume 

The City of Saint Louis has had for many years, a 
tradition of community recreation — of "playing together". 
This tradition has developed, again and again, notable 
instances of creative play, of which the most outstanding 
example was the Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, pro- 
duced in Forest Park in 1914 to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of the founding of Saint Louis. Here in a 
production which employed a cast of seventy-five hundred 
Saint Louisans, and which was viewed by over five 
hundred thousand persons at but four performances, — 
a production of unprecedented scale — the citizens came 
together with contributions which combined the arts of 
drama and music, dance and ritual, and the various 
stage crafts. The result was a great encouragement to 
all of these arts in Saint Louis; but the very success of it 
made impossible the use of similar means on another 
occasion, unless the opportunity for the repeated use of 
the same great scale should be open. The Centennial 
of the Admission of Missouri to the Union provides 
another occasion, but circumstances of the season and of 
State affairs counselled a different scale and a more in- 
tensive method. The tradition is the same, and we draw 
from the same creative resources in the community. 
The result is another experiment in the field of Com- 
munity drama — perhaps as significant in its own way as 
the previous and more magnificent enterprise of seven 
years ago. 

The Admission of Missouri to the Union took place 
under a portentous stress, and through a fiery political 
struggle. The chief events, so far as the State was con- 
cerned, occurred in Saint Louis, where the Constitutional 
Convention was held. The dominant characters this time 
were Saint Louisans; and these characters, because of 
the variety and vividness of their personalities, dictate 



to some extent the form of our observance of their historic 
acts. They seem to demand treatment in a more intimate 
method than the episodic Pageant affords. The considera- 
tion of these characters engaged in the political battle 
of one hundred years ago, together with the record of 
Saint Louis in the civic arts, has led to the plan for the 
programme of the celebration of the occasion by the 
Saint Louis Missouri Centennial Association. 

This programme is comprehensive and charac- 
teristic. For the first week, a series of great popular 
festivals are to be held on the broad Plaza on Twelfth 
Street. To afford a decorative background for these 
festivals, replicas of several of the principal buildings 
of the Saint Louis of 1821 have been constructed. The 
Lafayette Ball, the Civic Festival, the Military Ball and 
Fete, and the Community Sing each take one evening 
and the public has been asked to participate in all of these 
festivities; for the second week, the production, in the 
Coliseum, of a Centennial Drama, to be called *'Missouri — 
100 Years Ago". 

To the task of writing and producing this drama 
the Committee called Mr. Thomas Wood Stevens, of 
the Department of Drama at the Carnegie Institute of 
Technology. Mr. Stevens was already known in Saint 
Louis as the author and director of the Pageant in 1914 
(Mr. Percy MacKaye having written the Masque given 
in conjunction with the Pageant) and Mr. Stevens under- 
took the work with a sympathetic knowledge of the Saint 
Louis tradition. After a study of the historical material, 
in which he was assisted by Professor E. M. Violette and 
Miss Stella Drumm, Librarian of the Missouri Historical 
Society, the plan of the drama presented in this book 
was worked out. It is not a Pageant, though it has in 
the Prologue and Epilogue something of the technique 
of pageantry. It is rather a sweeping drama of one 
period and phase of life, broadly popular in its light 
and shade and abundant action, severely historical in its 
translation of the spirit of political events, and in the 
rigid economy of its characterizations. The author 
has not attempted to "white-wash the period", but to 
present it. The characters are not heroes in the rose 
light of worshipful descendants, but types of a past day, 



just inside the frontier, with all their political and personal 
aspirations and animosities within them. They speak 
as their contemporaries reveal them; as they wrote them- 
selves down in their letters; as the journalism of their 
day reflected them. And this comparatively realistic 
method, for all its technical difficulties, has in it a seed 
of something which is lacking in the usual scheme of 
pageantry. 

Numerous artists of the city have been called upon 
to assist; — the Composers, Frederic Fischer, Noel 
Poepping, and Gerald Tyler; the artists and designers 
of costumes and scenery, among them Margaret Breen 
and Dawson Watson; the designer and instructor 
of the dancing groups. Miss Adeline Rotty; the Pageant 
Choral Society — created as a result of the Pageant and 
Masque of 1914 — a great cast of citizens in the capacity 
of dancers and actors; stage directors, among them Joseph 
Solari, Harry McClain, and Robert Hanna, the last 
named serving in the major capacity of Chairman of the 
Productions Committee. 

The community is most fortunate in the possession 
of a large group of citizen-artists who can always be 
depended upon to lend their technical skill to civic cele- 
brations in Saint Louis. Their plans can only be realized 
through the cooperation of many elements, and the 
success achieved in this celebration, and in past cele- 
brations, has been due to a City Administration, the press, 
religious and educational organizations, civic, social, and 
business organizations, and a host of individuals in all 
walks of life, who have the proper amount of sympathy 
and understanding and who appreciate the true value of 
these festivals and community dramas to the welfare of 
the City. The result of this co-operation can best be 
judged by the audiences which will witness the production 
in the Coliseum. But something of our intentions may 
be seen in the text of the play which follows and which, 
in the opinion of many of us, represents a distinct step 
in the technical progress of the Community Drama 
movement in America. 

Saint Louis, Missouri. 
September Twenty-Seventh, 
Nineteen-Twenty One. 

[XI] 



PRODUCTIONS COMMITTEE 



Mb. Robert Hanna, Chairman 



COSTUME 

Mrs. Arthur Proetz, Chairman 
Mrs. Leslie Thompson 
Mrs. Floyd Augustine 
Mrs. Herman Von Schrenk 
Miss Fa : Baker 
Mrs. Tom Neston 
Miss Minette Douglas 

LIGHTING 

Ralf Toensfeldt, Chairman 
Mr. Geo. Pieksen 



DANCING 

Mr. Rodowe H. Abeken, Chairman 
Mrs. Daisy Freeman Assman 
Miss Mary Plant 
Dr. Arthur Proetz 



MUSIC 

Mrs. Edith A. Goodwin, Chairman 
Mr. Hugo Anschuetz 
Mr. Herbert Cost 
Dr. Arthur Proetz 



SCENERY 

Mr. Eugene S. Klein, Chairman 
Mr. Louis LaBeaume 
Mr. William Cornwell 
Mr. Ralf Toensfeldt 

REHEARSAL 

Mrs. W. B. Douglas, Chairman 
Mr. Frank Somerville 
Mr. Jos. Rouveyrol 
Mrs. Guy Study 

CAST 

Mr. Thurman Payne, Chairman 

Mr. C. E. Neville 

Mr. Rodowe Abeken 

Mrs. W. B. Douglas 

Mrs. Leslie Thompson 

Mr. Walter Rathman 

Mr. Dan Lord 

Mr. Blanchard A. McKee 



PROPERTIES 

Dr. Ralph Thompson, Chairman 
Mrs. Everett W. Pattison 
Mr. Manuel Essmann 
Mrs. O. J. McLane 
Mrs. Nettie Beauregard 
Mr. T. W. Fry 



AUDITORIUM 

Mr. John J. Burns, Chairman 

Mr. Frederick Pape 

Mr. Barney Frauenthal 

Mr Victor Miller 

Mr. Clinton Fisk 

Mr. E. R. Kinsey 

Mr. H. H. Simmons 

Mr. James H. McKelvey 

Mr. James H. Hook 

Mr. Louis Egan 

Mr. Paul Bunn 



[XII] 



MISSOURI 

One Hundred Years Ago 

THE PROLOGUE 

In the darkness the orchestra begins upon a wild and primeval 
strain^ as of storms heating down the war song and the war 
drums of a wilderness tribe. The strain grows calmer — 
more simple — and the shy glows faintly as with star light 
alone; and against it are seen great trees towering^ and a 
sheer cliffy and beyond^ the gleam of foam at the river* s edge. 
Then aHyric strain: figures begin to move in the dim light; 
a more vital and triumphant note: the figures troop together y 
dancing. Now pools of golden light glow across the dance^ 
and we see the nature spirits of the wilderness at play — the 
spirits of stream and mountain — tree and cloud — bird and 
beast. And leading the rout, which at last is seen to circle 
at her feet, the Primal Spirit of the Land — Missouri — dark, 
and proud and alluring. For the last sweep of the dance 
the Chorus joins the music. 

CHORUS 

Years — the years swing round 
As the stars the pole. 
Changeless and blind; 
And the blossoming rains of Spring 
And the Summer's burgeoning seed, 
And the fire of Autumn's ruining. 
And the snows of Winter's need, 
Repeat forever — changeless and blind .... 
Years — the years swing round 
As the stars the pole. 
[1] 



MISSOURI 

Break off — ye dancing flames of my wilderness. 
Be still, ye voices crying changeless things. 
I touch new waters; feel new fires; 
And in my darkling hair, new stars. 
Who am I? 

THE WILDERNESS SPIRITS 

Soul of the hills — Missouri! 
Pulse of the rivers — Missouri! 

MISSOURI 

Cry out to me, ye meeting rivers. 

[The two streams of River Spirits troop together 
before her, crying out:] 

THE RIVER SPIRITS 

Hail — Soul of the land — Missouri. 

MISSOURI 

Hail, mighty streams that ever at my feet 
Pour to the sunward. And ye changing things 
That season after season live anew 
And so are changeless; and ye manitous, 
Tawiskaron — dark Nanabozho, hail. 
Back in the dawn, my brothers! 

[For a moment two great masked manitous dominate 

the groups and answer her:] 

TAWISKARON 

I for the moon and its wonder cry to you. 

NANABOZHO 

I for the sun and its splendor — I greet you. 

MISSOURI 

Spirits of morn and moonlight, wings of the air, 
And serpent-basking rivers, and green hills. 
Hear, all. The heart within me changes. Yea — 
Forall the changeless circle of the years, 

[2] 



And you who change not, I have come to feel 

Some new thing hanging in the skies — 

An onward urging light, a hand 

Shaping the days before me; What is this? 

Answer, ye manitous. Now are ye silent? 

[Before her appears an Indian Medicine Man, a 
Prophet, in his ceremonial garmentSy surrounded 
by Indians.] 

THE MEDICINE MAN 

They will not answer. I speak. Man. 

Hear now man's voice. Change comes. 

Make hard your heart, or you will bend to Man. 

[From the river comes the Black Gown. The 
Medicine Man and his Indian group stand their 
ground but the wilderness spirits gather in still 
sculptured groups.] 

THE BLACK GOWN 

Soul of the land, the voice that echoes within you 
Is His on high. Rejoice, and serve. 



Stay thou! 



MISSOURI 



THE BLACK GOWN 



I go on. Farewell. 

[He vanishes. She moves slowly toward the river.] 

MISSOURI 

Rejoice and serve — what mean you? 

[Suddenly over the cliff comes a new group — the 
Explorer, the Trapper, the Miner, the Adventurer.] 

THE EXPLORER 

Look you — ye seekers of the way. 
Here I set my blaze. 
Where the great streams 
Meet and flow southward. 
What seek you? 

[3] 



THE TRAPPER 

Furs in the snow-time. 

THE MINER 

Hoards of the earth — Silver and salt and lead. 

THE ADVENTURER 

Land — land and adventure. 

[The three move on across the cliff.] 

MISSOURI 

Stay — Stay your steps. I have not welcomed you. 

THE MEDICINE MAN 

Make hard your heart. 

THE EXPLORER 

The way is always hard 

For them that find it first. Set on. The flags 

Will follow. Then are we too late. 

MISSOURI 

The flags? 

THE MEDICINE MAN 

Flags fly and change, we go. 

[A march is heard and a French group enters, 
bearing the old French Royal standard; the group 
includes traders, settlers, soldiers and slaves.] 

MISSOURI 

What flag flies yonder.? 

THE FRENCHMAN 

The flag of France, claiming this land. 

MISSOURI 

What bring you hither, folk of the lily flag? 

THE FRENCHMAN 

We bring you the light heart — the high heart. 
Neighbor love, and the lift of song. 

[4] 




'Missouri," in the Prologue. 



MISSOURI 

Ye say well. 

[Again a march, and the royal standard of Spain; 

with it soldiers and slaves, but few settlers.] 
And you with the banner of scarlet and gold — 
What bring you? 

THE SPANIARD 

Power we bring, the fringe of an empire's cloak, 
And law, and the pride of honor. 
But all these are fading. . . . 

[ The Spaniard passes aside, and a new flag comes 

to face the French — the American.] 

MISSOURI 

And you — surely yon flag is the one 
That streamed in my vision. 

THE AMERICAN 

I come to take you, Missouri, 

For I am your destiny. 

[From each of the groups, creeping together into 
one group, the slaves crouch before Missouri.] 

MISSOURI 

And you — dark ones who bear no flag — what are you.^* 

THE FRENCHMAN 

Slaves, for your service. 

THE AMERICAN 

Slaves, to set free your wealth. 

MISSOURI 

And what is he who hides among these slaves? 

STRIFE 

[Flinging off the cloak of slavery.] 
I am Strife ... I come with these, but not to serve. 

[5] 



MISSOURI 

Why then come you? 

STRIFE 

That you shall know hereafter. 

MISSOURI 

Be it so. 

THE SPANIARD 

Look you, Spirit of this new land, 

I give this scroll, this emblem of my high authority. 

Back — unto France. Farewell. 

[Exit, the Spanish Group.] 

MISSOURI 

What scroll is this? Is this the lasting script 
Of mine allegiance? 

THE FRENCHMAN 

Nay. Yet to its mouldering rolls 
I will add parchment also. 

MISSOURI 

Ye flags that flash upon the wind, and fade. 

And men who march beneath them, hear me now. 

I dreamed of change, and after many moons 

Ye bring me change. 

But sudden flags and laws that fade. 

These I love not. Where is the final flag, 

The lasting law; and from whose hand the scroll? 

[Music. Between the two upright flags is disclosed 
a group representing the signing of the Louisiana 
Purchase. Behind the signers, right and left, 
presences of Napoleon and Jefferson. The voice 
of Jefferson is heard.] 

JEFFERSON 

W^e take the land and pay the price. The instrument we 
sign will cause no tears to flow, but happiness for innu mer- 
le] 



able generations. These rivers shall see them prosper 
and increase, in the midst of equality, under just laws, 
freed from the errors of superstition and the scourge of 
bad government — worthy of the regard and care of God. 

MISSOURI 

If this be man, his voice is unto me 

As a far prophet calling. And I heed. 

And for the land I make submission. 

Change now I fear not. And ye darkling ones, 

Drink of my streams when your toil bends you down ; 

And Strife, from you I will not shrink. 

Look now — ye men who bear the last bright flag, 

I take of you my destiny. I give 

My heart*s allegiance to these starry states. 

Take me, Missouri, to your field — a star. 

Give me my seal of Sovereignty. — a State. 

CHORUS 

Rejoice, O hills that bloom beneath the sun; 
O rivers free and filled with spring, be glad! 
And meadows break beneath the plow 
To new fertilities. . . . 
Out of the strife — a State. 
Out of the storm — a star. 

[The vision vanishes in darkness.] 



[7] 



Scene 1 



MISSOURI 

One Hundred Years Ago 

ACT ONE 

[The scene is before the Tavern. It is still night, 
but the chill light of dawn is beginning to appear. 
In answer to a hail from the river side, three or four 
negro hostlers, led by Kibbie, the head hostler, 
tumble out sleepily and go off to care for the horses 
of an arriving party; they carry pierced or horn 
lanterns. 

As they go off, a window in the upper floor of the 
Tavern is flung open, and a young man is seen 
silhouetted against the yellow light within, where a 
few eager flgures bend over cards and money on a 
green table cloth. The young man in the window 
leans out for a fresh breath of the early morning. 
One of the gamblers is seen to approach him, as if 
asking if he does not intend to continue the game; 
the man in the windoio shrugs his shoulders and 
turns out his pockets, showing them to be empty. 
The morning light is growing brighter. 

Below, coming up from the river side, Mrs. Coalter 
and her family arrive at the Tavern. She is a lady 
of consequence from South Carolina, and her 
retinue is extensive; her two older daughters, 
Caroline and Julia, are each attended by personal 
[81 



servants laden with hat boxes and the lighter and 
more personal sort of luggage. 
The three younger daughters are in charge of a 
Mammy who shepherds them assiduously. A couple 
of stout negro men, heavily laden with boxes and 
satchels, bring up the rear. Mrs. Coalter herself is 
attended by her maid, *'Mandy,'' a fine young 
woman, very black, with a flashing smile. The 
door of the Tavern is flung open and the Hostess 
hospitably welcomes the newcomers. Mrs. Coalter 
counts them up and overlooks the luggage as they 
pass into the open doorway. Evidently something 
has been forgotten, for just before she herself goes in, 
Mrs. Coalter despatches Mandy back to the carriage 
to fetch it. The door closes upon the entire party as 
Mandy goes on her errand. At the foot of the steps 
she meets Kibbie, returning from the stables, his 
extinguished lantern in his hand; Kibbie smiles 
affably, and is seen offering to go with her. She 
scornfully refuses his company, and goes off, 
Kibbie stands looking after her, fascinated. 
The Tavern door opens again, and a Pioneer comes 
out. He is ready for the road, and behind him 
come his entire household — his wife, three small 
children, the grandmother, and two of the Tavern 
servants, heavily burdened. The Pioneer calls to 
Kibbie. Kibbie does not seem to hear, and the man 
shouts to h^m. He awakens from his day-dream, 
routs out two of the other hostlers, and they all troop 
off toward the stables, on the right. 
As they disappear, a sudden quarrel breaks out in 
the upper room. The gamblers around the table 

rush, shouting, at some one who cannot be seen. 

Chairs are overturned. The young man with the 

[9] 



empty pockets moves to close the window. As he 
does so, shots are heard, and the yellow lights are 
fogged in pistol smoke. The young man flattens 
himself against the window frame, horror-stricken. 
The front door below is flung open, and the Host 
appears, sending servants for officers of the law. 
The noise inside ceases, but begins again immediate- 
ly. The River Man and two gamblers rush out past 
the Host, who shouts after them. 

THE host: Halt, there, you! Stand, I say! 
THE riverman: Be still, landlord. Score's paid. 
THE FIRST gambler: Gentlemen's game. 

THE SECOND GAMBLER: 

[clutching the green cloth in which he has gathered 
up the cards and money] 
You can't stop us. 

THE host: You've got to stop till I know the damage. 

THE riverman: Don't come near me. Anyhow, there's 
no witnesses. 

THE YOUNG MAN [from the balcony] I was witness. 

THE SECOND GAMBLER: He Hcs — he wasu't looking. 

THE FIRST gambler: He was broke — stone broke — 

[The Constable enters with three watchmen, armed.] 

THE host: Arrest these men. Constable. 

THE RIVER man: You'd better not touch me. I'm going. 

THE constable: Put out your hands. 

[The two gamblers obey; the River Man hesitates.] 
Be quick about it. 

[Judge Lucas enters and takes in the situation at a 

glance.] 
THE host: Judge Lucas, I want these men held. 

[10] 



THE RIVER man: I*m not going to stand. No charge — 
no witness — 

THE FIRST gambler: It was just a gentleman's game. 
No harm in it. 

JUDGE LUCAs[ to the Rivev Man] 

Hands! Constable's orders. My order. The law. 

[The River Man puts out his hands] 
THE river man: What sort of law is this? You ain't a 
Judge any more. 

[He moves his hand toward the breast of his coat. 

The Constable moves his pistol quickly to cover him.] 

JUDGE LUCAS : Let be. Empty pistol. I know. Seen 
him before. River rats. Take them all. 

THE SECOND GAMBLER: What are you taking us for, 
Judge. We've done nothing. 

THE FIRST gambler: Dispute in the card room. Often 
happens. No damage done. 

judge LUCAS: Landlord, will you appear against them? 

THE host: I didn't see it. Judge Lucas — 

THE YOUNG MAN [who has come down:] I saw it. 

JUDGE LUCAS: What's your name? 

THE YOUNG MAN: Hamilton Rowan Gamble. 

JUDGE LUCAS : Good. Competent witness. Constable, 
lock them up. 

THE constable: Just as you say, Judge Lucas. 

[Judge Lucas turns on his heel and goes out the way 
he came.] 

Now men. Come along with us 

[ The Constable and his men take the River Man and 
the Gamblers in charge and start of with them. The 
Host goes quickly inside, 
[11] 



Just as they are going off the River Man shouts to 
the others, fells one of the watchmen at a blow and 
struggles free. There is a swift, scuffling jight, and 
the Gamblers break away and run for it, their cards 
and money fluttering out of the green cloth as they go. 
Hamilton Gamble starts to the Constable's assist- 
ance, sees it is useless, and stops, dazed by the 
suddenness of it all; he turns back to go into the 
Tavern. 

Mrs. Coalter accompanied by her daughter Caroline 
(the eldest) comes out on the terrace; with them comes 
Edward Bates; they walk slowly along the terrace 
and are about to pass Hamilton Gamble when he 
looks up and recognizes the ladies. They seem 
about to greet him, when he becomes all at once 
conscious of his dishevelled appearance and his 
turned out pockets. He bows low; Mrs. Coalter 
nods frigidly; Caroline stares straight before her; 
he escapes into the Tavern. Mrs. Coalter, Caroline 
ind Edward Bates continue their walk on the 
terrace. 

Two legal-looking Kentucky gentlemen come iny 
glance at the Tavern sign, go up the steps and knock 
with their riding crops on the door. It is opened by 
a servant and at the same moment the Host comes 
out on the balcony above.] 

THE host: At your service, gentlemen. 

JAMES bridges: Good morning, landlord. Is this the 
principal tavern of the town of Saint Louis. f^ 

THE host: I'll allow it is, sir. 

JAMES bridges: I'm James Bridges — lawyer. From 
Kentucky. Looking for Daniel Boone. 

[121 



THE host: I haven't seen Daniel Boone. He hasn't 

been in Saint Louis for a coon's age. 

JAMES bridges: Well, he will be when he hears the news, 

THE host: [after a pause] 

Can I do anything for your entertainment, gentlemen? 

JAMES bridges: Maybe you can tell me where I might 
find the Congressional Delegate of this Territory.^ 

THE host: I can. He lodges here. His name's John 
Scott. He just came up from Sainte Genevieve. 

JAMES bridges: Is he here now? 

THE host: Can't say about that. Come in and wait? 

JAMES bridges: We'll do that. 

[The two gentlemen from Kentucky go into the 

Tavern.] 

[Mrs. Coalter, leaving Mr. Bates and Caroline on 

the terrace, calls through the door for Mandy, who 

appears immediately.] 

MRS. coalter: Mandy, my sunshade. 

[Mrs. Coalter returns to the two on the terrace, and 
Mandy comes out and brings her the sunshade. 
Mrs. Coalter and the others go out to the right. 
Kihhie enters from the left, sees Mandy, and ap- 
proaches her affably.] 

kibbie: Look-a-here, gal — What for are you so proud 
when I come around? 

mandy: Proud? Who's proud? 

kibbie: You are. 

mandy: Well, I got reason to be. I belong to Mrs. 
Coalter, and everybody knows the Coalters are about as 
fine people as they is in Carolina. Besides, I don't know 
who you all be. 

[131 



kibbie: My name*s Kibbie. 

mandy: Kibbie? Nice enough name. 

KIBBIE : I hope you all like it. 

mandy: Say — what are you gettin' at? Who are you, 
anyhow? 

kibbie: Why, I*m the head 'ostler here. Everybody 
knows Kibbie around here. 

mandy: Oh — you belong to the landlord, do you? 

kibbie: No, I don't. I don't belong to nobody. 

mandy: Goodbye, man. I sure wouldn't have stood 

talking to you if I'd knowed you was free. 

[Mandy goes haughtily into the house. Kibbie sits 
on the edge of the terrace in an attitude of complete 
dejection. Charles Lucas enters.] 

CHARLES LUCAS : Good Momiug, Kibbie. Has my father 
been here this morning? 

kibbie: Yes, Master Charles. Judge Lucas was here, 
but he went off again towards the Court house. 
[Kibbie resumes his attitude of despair.] 

CHARLES LUCAS: What's the matter, Kibbie? Down- 
hearted ? 

kibbie: Yes, Master Charles. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Gambling again? 

kibbie: No, Master Charles. 

[Charles Lucas starts to go: Kibbie follows a step 

or two.] 
Just a minute, Master Charles. I want your advice. 
I'm in mighty big trouble. You know how come I's free, 
and all. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Ycs, Kibbie. 

[141 



KiBBiE : Well now, Master Charles, I need advice. This 

morning I seen — you won't laugh at me 'bout this. Master 

Charles? 

CHARLES LUCAS : No, Kibbie. 

KIBBIE : Well, sir, this morning I seen a girl — she belongs 
to this Mrs. Coalter from Carolina. But she just won't 
have nothing to do with me, cause I's free. Now I don't 
know where I stand. What can I do? 

CHARLES LUCAS : You mean you want to marry this girl? 

kibbie: That's what I mean, Master Charles. 

CHARLES LUCAS : And what does she say? 

kibbie: She don't say nothing — 'cause I's free. 

CHARLES LUCAS : That is a problem, Kibbie. 

kibbie: Yes, sir. 

CHARLES LUCAS: You might buy her. 

kibbie: I thought of that. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Have you any money? 

kibbie: Oh, yes, I got 'bout three hundred dollars. 

CHARLES LUCAS: She'd be worth more than that. 

kibbie: I might pay that for 'stallment and pay the rest 

afterwards. I'd work all my life for her. Master Charles — 

I would for true. 

CHARLES LUCAS: I'll think about it, Kibbie. Maybe I 

can help you. 

kibbie: I know you can. Master Charles. You can 

speak to Mrs. Coalter 'bout it. You see, I know a free 

nigger can't expect no help 'cept from you or your father — 

and I dassent ask your father. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Well, I'll see what I can do. By the 
way, what's the girl's name? 

(151 



kibbie: I don*t rightly know, but I think it's Mandy. 

Here comes Mrs. Coalter now. 

[Mrs. Coalter and the others re-enter along the 
terrace, Charles approaches them, and Edward 
Bates presents him to the ladies. Other citizens 
enter, and the copy hoy from the Enquirer office 
comes among them passing out handbills.] 

THE COPY boy: Public meeting! Handbills — all about 
the meeting. Have one, sir? The Resolutions in full. 

MRS. coalter: a Public Meeting? Mr. Lucas, please 
tell us what it is about? 

CHARLES LUCAS: It sccms to be a territorial protest 
meeting, Mrs. Coalter. 

MRS. coalter: Territorial protest? What is that? Where 
is it to be? 

CHARLES LUCAS : Here, in front of the Tavern. It's to 
draw up resolutions to be sent to Congress — protesting 
against the Territorial Government. 

MRS. coalter: Dear me! Protesting against the Govern- 
ment? 

EDWARD bates: It's uot SO bad as it sounds, Mrs. Coalter. 
It's to start a public opinion in favor of making the 
Territory a St?.te. 

MRS. coalter : Surely you don't object to that, Mr. Lucas. 

CHARLES LUCAS : No, Mrs. Coalter, my feeling is against 
the men who are back of this meeting — and against 
Benton's newspaper. 

[He taps the hand bill.] 
Not against statehood. 

MRS. coalter: It's so hard to understand politics — 
especially when one is a stranger to the country, isn't it? 
[The two young gentlemen attempt to explain the 
[16] 



local political situation to the ladies, as more 
citizens gather for the meeting. The Tavern 
servants move up a horse block to serve as a rostrum. 
Enter, from the right, Daniel Boone and his son 
Nathan. Boone is a very old man, white haired, of 
great personal dignity, in the traditional frontier 
garb. Nathan Boone is more conventionally 
dressed — a vigorous man in his forties. Boone is 
treated with great respect by all the citizens present, 
and his name is passed from one to another when 
he appears.] 

DANIEL BOONE : Can any of you boys tell me if this is the 
tavern where Mr. Scott lodges? 

THE host: Yes, Mr. Boone? I'll call him for you. 

[The host goes into the tavern. John Smith T, 
coming on, greets Boone.] 

JOHN SMITH t: Well bless my soul — it's Dan'l Boone. 
How are you? 

BOONE: Peart, thank ye. 

JOHN SMITH t: Don't you remember me, Dan'l. I'm 
John Smith T. 

BOONE : Certainly I remember you, John T. But how 
comes it nobody's shot you before now? 

JOHN smith t: I was too quick, that's how it come. 
[The Host returns with John Scott.] 

host: This is John Scott, Mr. Boone. 

BOONE : Are you the gentleman who goes to Congress 
from this Territory, sir? 

JOHN SCOTT : Yes, Mr. Boone. 

BOONE : Are you the man that put up Congress to allot 
me a thousand acres of land up there by the Salt Lick? 

[17] 



JOHN SCOTT : Yes, Mr. Boone. 

BOONE : I thank you, Mr. Scott. Now could you tell me 

what to do next about it — under the law. I wish to go 

according to the law, but I don't always understand it. 

[James Bridges and his friend come out of the 

Tavern and stand on the stepSy listening.] 

JOHN SCOTT : The land is yours, Mr. Boone, by act of 

Congress. 

BOONE : Yes, the land is mine. But I have had land 

before — that's all gone. The Spanish Governor de Lassus 

gave me ten thousand arpents of land. I governed the 

district. I was the syndic. And he gave me ten thousand 

arpents. The Land Commissioners took them away. 

JOHN SCOTT : This time no one can take the land from 
you. It is yours. You may work it or sell it — whatever 
you like. It is a gift of Congress in recognition of your 
services to the State of Kentucky and to the nation. 
I will attend to the title. 

JAMES BRIDGES [coming forward]: You're Dan'l Boone? 
BOONE: Yes, stranger. 

bridges: And you've just been granted a thousand acres 

of land in Missouri.^ 

BOONE : So they tell me, stranger. 

bridges: It's my duty to tell you I've a claim against 
you. Land sold in Kentucky. Defective title. 

BOONE : [to the crowd] You see, men? 

bridges: I heard Delegate Scott say he would attend to 
the title. It comes direct from Congress. Very good. 
You can sell it, he says. Then you can turn it over to 
satisfy our claims. 

[Bridges' companion takes out documents.] 
BOONE: My children like this land by the salt lick. I'm 

[181 



sorry you've come to take it. I 'lowed to be buried there 
when I die. 

[Murmurs of sympathy among the crowd.] 

bridges: My business won't wait for that. Will you 
give it up? 

NATHAN BOONE : Do I Understand that you are for taking 
this grant away from my father.^^ 

bridges: Yes. 

SCOTT: You can't do this without due process of law. 
I warn you, on behalf of Mr. Boone. I will resist to the 
last court of appeal. 

bridges: You're talking politics now, Mr. Scott. 

JOHN SMITH t: I'm not talking politics, stranger. But 
this can't be done. I'm for not talking at all. 

[John T draws two efficient looking long -barrelled 

pistols. The crowd scatters.] 

bridges: Shooting won't help. Colonel. 

JOHN SMITH t: You can't ever tell 'till you try. 

JOHN SCOTT : Colonel Smith, I beg you to put up your 
pistols. 

JOHN SMITH t: And let you talk, and him get away with 
Boone's land? No. 

[By a quicky dexterous movement he cocks both 

pistols at once.] 

BOONE : [gently] Mr. Scott, I think it likely these men 
may be in the right. I'll move on further. 
[Murmurs from the crowd.] 

JOHN SMITH t: Not by a damn sight! 

[Again the crowd moves nervously.] 

BOONE : John T, you put up your pistols, and sit down 
and keep still. 

[19] 



[John Smith T slowly uncocks his pistols and 

obeys.] 
It*s a beautiful country, up there by our salt lick, but it's 
getting too crowded. Settlers coming in, and the deer 
get scared away. I reckon it would be better for me 
further West. If you'll come in the Tavern with me, 
stranger, I'll sign you the land. 

[Boone, Nathan Boone, Scott and the two Kentuck- 

ians go into the Tavern. Mrs. Coalter's party 

appears on the balcony.] 

JOHN SMITH t: You see — that's how things are run in this 
territory. 

THE COPY boy: [moving among the gathering crowd.] 
Public meeting! Hand bill from the Enquirer office — all 
about the Public Meeting. The Resolutions in full — 
Resolutions. 

MRS. coalter: From here we should see well, Mr. Lucas. 

Who is that young man — the one getting onto the horse 

block? 

CHARLES LUCAS [coldly] I That's David Barton, madam. 

MRS. coalter: You don't like him, Mr. Lucas? 

CHARLES LUCAS : I dou't like his friends. 

[David Barton mounts the horse block to call the 
meeting to order.] 

barton: Fellow Citizens of the Territory of Missouri! 

[A few shouts of ''Order,'' "Order'' among the 

crowd.] 
You all know the purpose for which this meeting has been 
called. Nominations for a permanent chairman will be 
heard. 

CHARLESs: Mr. Chairman, I nominate Judge Lucas. 

[Shouts of ''No, No" drown out a few cheers for 

Lucas.] 

[20] 




"Mrs. Coalter." 



bates: Mr. Chairman, I nominate Alexander McNair. 

[Shouts of ''Ayer ''Aye;' ''McNairr] 

barton: The Chair hears the nomination of Mr. 
Alexander McNair. The Chair judges that Mr. McNair 
is elected by acclamation. 

[Shouts of *' McNair'' as McNair mounts the block.] 

MC nair: If there is no objection, Mr. David Barton will 
act as Secretary. 

[A general shout of ''Barton" mingled with good 

natured laughter.] 

MC nair: Fellow citizens, you all know why we have met. 
A crisis has arisen. We must voice our opinion, our 
unalterable determination, in such terms that the nation 
may hear, and that Congress must heed. The Resolutions 
are before you. What is your will. 

BENTON: Mr. Chairman. 

MC nair: The Chair recognizes Mr. Thomas Hart Benton. 
[Benton mounts the rostrum, amid 'some cheering.] 

BENTON: Fellow Citizens: The first part of the resolu- 
tions submitted to you needs no argument of mine. It 
declares "that Congress have no right to control a State 
Constitution, except to preserve its republican character.'* 
That a Congress has sought to control is true. But we 
have never admitted its right so to do, and we never will. 
This is the real Missouri question — whether or not we, the 
people of this great territory now standing ready to take 
her place among the States, shall submit to the tyrannical 
dictation of the Representatives of the East and North. 

[Shouts of ''Never,'' "Never."] 
We have already reminded Congress of the terms of the 
cession of this soil by France— terms binding upon them 
with the solemn force of a treaty. We have set forth our 
grieya.nces. That \ye have no vote in their body, though 

[21] 



subject to taxation. Is the war of American Independence 
so soon forgotten? That we are subject to the absolute 
veto of a territorial governor; and that our superior Court 
is constructed on principles unheard of in any system of 
jurisprudence — subject to correction by no other tribunal ! 
The evil of the territorial system you all know. You live 
in the midst of its disorders. The boundary we have 
asked is logical — ^a stately domain whose heart is Watered 
by the Missouri where it flows through the woodlands — 
a domain extending across the naked plains to the shining 
mountains. Of this domain, and to escape from these 
evils, we have prayed Congress to erect a State. And 
what has been their answer: "Let us dictate your basic 
law — give over your property and your rights as free men — 
close your doors to your kinsmen coming from the South — 
be basely subject to a power outside your borders — and 
we may welcome you'*. Shall we submit to this tyranny — 
this is the real Missouri question. 

[Shouts of ''No—Never^ ''Go on," ''Benton^ 
Congress has engrafted upon the Missouri statehood bill 
the condition that our Constitution shall prohibit slavery 
within our borders. Shall we not resolve that so to 
prohibit slavery in Missouri would be equally contrary to 
the rights of a Sovereign State, and to the welfare of the 
slaves? 

[Cries of ''Yes'*— ''No'* "Down with the aboli- 
tionists. *'] 

JUDGE LUCAS : [Rising and facing Benton] : 
Colonel Benton, I ask you one question. 

[Shouts of "Out of Orderr "Sit down.** "Goon:*] 
Do you favor the institution of slavery? 

BENTON [silencing the croivd] : 

The question is not of slavery as an institution. I favor 

freedom under the Constitution, and the Treaty of 

[221 



Cession — the inalienable right of Missouri to decide the 
question of slavery according to her own will. 

JUDGE LUCAS : We all agree to the sovereign right of the 
State. No interference with slaves now in the territory. 
But slavery is contrary to the word freedom, and is an 
evil which, if not protested against, will bring upon us the 
censure of posterity, as well as the judgment of a just and 
angry God. I move you we resolve — 

[His voice is drowned in shouts of ''Down'* — ''No 
abolition'* — ''Benton'\ ''Go on.'* — "Vote the reso- 
lution.'*] 

MC nair: Order. Order. Mr. Benton has the floor. 
Mr. Benton. 
[Judge Lucas stands silent.] 

BENTON: And last — Resolved that the people of this 
Territory have a right to meet in convention by their own 
authority, to form a constitution and a state whenever 
they shall deem it expedient to do so; and that if Congress 
shall a second time refuse them admittance, it shall become 
expedient to exercise that right. 

[Shouts of "Atje~aye." "Good."] 
Citizens, I beg you to consider well these questions. The 
eyes of the American people are upon you. Our resolu- 
tions are mild and loyal in language, strong in import; 
and if once adopted, they will never be lightly abandoned. 

[Shouts of "The question^ "Vote**— "Vote." 

Benton stands aside.] 

MC naib: You have heard the resolutions. Those in 
favor? [There is a tumultous shout of "Aye"] 
Opposed, 

JUDGE LUCAS AND JOSEPH CHARLESS: No. 

[There is a growl from the crowd. McN air's gavel 
falls sharply.] 

[23] 



MC nair: The resolutions are adopted. 

[The crowd cheers heartily. There are shouts of 

^'adjourn'' — ''adjourn.'' 
The meeting is adjourned. 

[The crowd scatters, and Chouteau, Pratte and 

Leduc approach Benton.] 
CHOUTEAU: [Speaking with a marked French accent] 
Colonel Benton, we congratulate you. Admirable. 

pratte: Verree eloquent. Yes. You know Monsieur 

Leduc? 

BENTON: I have the honor. 

[Benton and Leduc shake hands.] 

CHOUTEAU: You are a very busy man, Colonel Benton — 
with your editorial work on the Enquirer.p — 

LE Duc: And your extensive practice of the law — No? 

BENTON: I still have time for public affairs, gentlemen. 

CHOUTEAU: We have thought to retain you in a case, 
Colonel Benton. We are all largely interested in lands 
granted by the Spanish Governors. As you know, these 
grants have been disallowed by the Land Commission. 

LEDUC : But if we had an advocate of your ability — 

pratte: And eloquence — 

CHOUTEAU: We offer you the cases — en bloc. 

BENTON: I have heard of these cases, of course, but not 
in detail. Who would be my opponent? 

pratte: The American Government. 

CHOUTEAU: And the former Land Commissioner, Judge 

Lucas. 

BENTON: Done. I accept the case, gentlemen. Nothing 

can please me more than to be on the opposite side from 

Judge Lucas — and all his family. 

[24] 



CHOUTEAU: To the details, then. Will you step inside, 

gentlemen? 

[They go into the Tavern. Benton lingering at the 
door. Mandy and Kibbie are on the terrace — she 
protesting.] 

mandy: What you think ain't got nothing to do with it. 
It's what the mistress says. 

kibbie: She ain't going to say no to this. I'm going to 
marry you. 

mandy: You can't unless she says so. 

kibbie: Mr. Charles Lucas is going to fix all that. I'm 
going to buy you off her. 

mandy: [Laughing heartily) You buy me.^^ 

kibbie: You see, Mr. Charles is going to fix it. 

mandy: You got a power of faith in Mr. Charles. 
[She tosses her head and starts to go.] 

kibbie: Wait — you ain't told me — 

MANDY : I ain't going to, neither — 'till the mistress says to. 

[She laughs again and runs in past Benton. 

Barton and Lawless come up. As they start in, 

Benton says,] 

BENTON : I've just taken a case — the Spanish grants. 
Aiid I hear Charles Lucas has taken one too — negotiating 
to buy a wench for a free nigger. Legal business is 
flourishing. 

[Barton and Lawless laugh as they go in. The Host 
. . appears on the step.] 

THE host: Colonel Benton, Colonel Chouteau's compli- 
ments, and he and the other gentlemen are waiting for 
you in the card room. 

BENTON : Thank you, landlord. 

[25] 



[Benton goes into the Tavern. As he does so, a 
Slave Dealer comes up^ followed by an overseer and 
a group of slaves. Some of them are hound.] 

THE SLAVE DEALER! Howdy, landlord. Any rooms for 
the night. 

THE host: Surely I have, gentlemen. The best in the 
Territory. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Good. We'll be stopping. Where 
shall I pen my stock? 

[He indicates tht group of slaves. Twilight is 

coming on.] 

THE hSst: One moment, stranger. If you're dealing in 
these, I can't put you up. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: What's that? Don't you offer 
public entertainment? 

THE HOST: Entertainment for man and beast. But not 
for you, 

THE SLAVE DEALER: What right have you got? — 

THE HOST : [shouting through the door] 

Kibbie, come oi\t and bring the boys — and bring my cane 

from behind the bar. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Comc along. [The slaves hesitate.] 
Back down by the river — it's nearer where you're going, 
anyway. 

THE HOST: [Again through the door.] 

Kibbie, I don't need you. 

[The Host watches the Slave Dealer and his people 
depart; then goes in and closes the door. It is now 
late twilighty and lights begin to show inside the 
house. One of the French windows leading onto 
the balcony opens^ and Caroline Coalter and 

[26] 



Edward Bates covie out; they are illuviinated hy a 
shaft of light through the open window.] 

CAROLINE: Mr. Bates, why do you persist so? 

bates: I can't give up. 

CAROLINE : You must give up. 

bates: Not until I know why. 

CAROLINE: Then — there's someone else. That's all the 
reason. 

bates: You — You are going to marry someone else.^ 

CAROLINE: No. I can never marry him. He — he leads 
a life I can never join to mine. But that doesn't make 
any difference. 

bates: You love him? 

CAROLINE: Yes. 

[Bates draws back, his head bowed; straightens up 
again, and speaks resolutely.] 

bates: I understand. I can't complain. It's fate — I 
suppose .... Can you tell me his name. 

CAROLINE: You kuow him. We passed him here this 
morning. 

bates: Hamilton Gamble? 

CAROLINE: Yes. 

bates: At least, I may remain your friend? 

CAROLINE : 

[turning toward him impulsively and holding out 
her hand] 
Edward! 

bates: [Taking her hand and bowing over it] 

And if God gives me strength for it — I may be his friend, 

too. 

[«7] 



[He releases her handy aiid goes. Mrs. Coalter 
and Charles Lucas come out on the terrace below.] 

MRS. coalter: It's a strange request, Mr. Lucas, and 
does credit to your disposition. 

CHARLES LUCAS : They're really children, Mrs. Coalter, 
and if we don't help them to carry their responsibihties — 

MRS. coalter; Well, I'll talk to them. 

[She calls up to Caroline on the balcony] 
Caroline — will you send Mandy to me; and tell her to 
bring this boy Kibbie with her. 

[Caroline goes in.] 
You say the boy is free.^^ And of steady habits? 

CHARLES LUCAS : YcS. 

MRS. coalter: I don't know that I approve. And 

Mandy is a useful girl — very useful. 

[Enter Mandy and Kibbie. They bob before 
Mrs. Coalter very sheepishly ^ in the light from the 
open door.] 

Mandy, I am told you have taken up with this boy, 

Kibbie? 

mandy: No, Missus. I ain't took up with him yet. 
I told him flat I wouldn't do nothing but what you tell 
me to. 

MRS. coalter: But you want to take up with him? 
mandy: I like him mighty well. 

MRS. coalter: And you, Kibbie — whose boy are you? 
kibbie: I work here at the Tavern. I's the head 'ostler. 
MRS. coalter: But you're not the landlord's man? 
kibbie: No ma'am. I's free. . . 

MRS. coalter: How come you free? 

kibbie: My old master come up from Virginia, and he 

[28J 



brought me, and he took sick here, and I looked after hitn. 
And when he died he left a paper with Judge Lucas, and 
it says I's free. 

[He takes a leather pouch from around his neck, 

and extracts a paper from it.] 
Judge Lucas, he said, I was always to keep this paper on me. 

[He steps forward to show it to her. She turns to 

CharleSy who nods.] 

MRS. coalter: Very well. Now Kibbie, Mandy belongs 
to me, and she is worth eight hundred dollars. What do 
you suggest? 

KIBBIE : I done told Mr. Charles .... I — I got three 
hundred dollars .... and I'd work all my life for her. 

MRS. coalter: You'd work all your life for her.^ 

kibbie: I — I might tear up this yere paper, and belong 
to you all. 

CHARLES LUCAS [quickly] : No, Kibbie .... You see, Mrs. 
Coalter. 

MRS. coalter: I think we may try it, Kibbie. I will 
sell you Mandy. I will take your three hundred dollars 
now; and within three years you and Mandy must bring 
me five hundred dollars more. And if you don't pay, 
Mandy comes back to me— with her children — your 
children. Do you understand? 

kibbie: Yes, Mrs. Coalter. I thank you, Mrs. Coalter. 

MRS. coalter: Don't thank me. Thank Mr. Lucas. 
He's been mighty good to you. 

CHARLES LUCAS : It's all right, Kibbie. And now if 
you'll step around to my office in an hour — you and Mandy 
— I'll draw up a contract for you. And you can bring, 
it to Mrs. Coalter to sign tonight. 

[Kibbie and' M andy bow, half kneeling, to Charles.] 
[29] 



kibbie: You — you sure are a Christian man, Master 
Charles. 

mandy: We can*t never thank you enough — never. 
[ They go out together.] 

MRS. COALTER : I VOW, Mr. Lucas, I hever heard of such a 
contract. But I*m sure it's all right, if you say so. 
Goodnight! 

[Charles is left standing under the lamp that hangs 
over the door, Benton comes out, pausing to say 
over his shoulder.] 

BENTON: Then it's settled, Colonel Chouteau. Old 
Lucas may threaten, but he'll have to show he's not mak- 
ing something out of it — 

CHARLES LUCAS [Sharply]: Colonel Benton! 

BENTON: Lucas! Listening, were you.'* 

CHARLES LUCAS: You discuss your cases in public. I 
couldn't help hearing. But I can help your speaking of 
my father as you did then. 

BENTON: My business can be discussed in public. Your 
father's can't. And yours can't! 

CHARLES LUCAS : What do you mean, sir? 

BENTON: I mean your negotiations for a wench for the 

hostler. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Colonel Benton, I stand by ray acts. 

You know that. We have met once — 

BENTON : I stand bj^ my words. 

CHARLES LUCAS: Coloucl Bcutou, I am at your service. 

BENTON: I desire nothing less. 

CHARLES LUCAS: Mr. Joshua Barton will act for me. 

BENTON: Colonel Luke Lawless for me. 

1301 



CHARLES LUCAS*. Where shall we meet? 

BENTON : Where you please. And it cannot be too soon. 

CHARLES LUCAS: Tomorrow. 

BENTON: At dawn. 

[Enter from the tavern, Luke Lawless.] 

lawless: Ah, Colonel. 

[He sees Lucas, and looks from one to the other.] 
Eh. Oh, I see. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Colonel Lawless, I can only refer you 
to my friend, Mr. Joshua Barton. Good-night. 
[Charles Lucas goes ojf, to the right.] 

lawless: But Tom — you and Lucas have fought once. 
You were both satisfied — 

BENTON : Luke — I wish you*d see Barton for me. 

lawless: But is this necessary? 

BENTON: It's not only what's just passed. Please go. 

lawless: Of course I'll go. But I'm devilish sorry to 

do it, Tom. 

[Lawless goes out. Dance music is heard tuning 
up in the room above, and a group of gaily dressed 
ladies is seen for a moment through the windows. 
They pass, and the lights in the room above are 
dimmed. Judge Lu/^as comes on from the left, sees 
Benton, who stands moodily waiting, arid addresses 
him.] 

JUDGE LUCAS : Colonel Benton, you're taking these 
Spanish Land Grant cases. 

BENTON: How do you know, Judge Lucas? 

JUDGE LUCAS: RumoF. Now — word of warning. Been 
over them all, as Land Commissioner. Know them — all 

[31] 



of them. You should know. I'll not stand by and see 
former decisions reversed. 

BENTON: I can't see where you come in, Judge. Lucas. 
Whom do you represent? 

JUDGE LUCAS : Public good. And with me — point of 

honor. [Benton stands silent.] 

I've warned you. 

[The Judge stands looking at Benton. A silence^. 
The Judge turns and goes off to the right.] 

BENTON: Point of honor. Ah, God. 

[He pulls himself together and goes into the Tavern, 
The dance music begins now, gaily, and the upper 
room is seen to be open. Ladies and gentlemen in 
capes and great coats are seen coming along the 
terrace to the Ball. Within they appear again in 
the most elaborate toilettes of the time. Before the 
dance begins, there is a movement of lanterns and 
figures gathering by the servants' doorway, where 
Kibbie's friends are rejoicing over the wedding. 
For a moment the song of the darkies is clearly 
heard; then the dance music above overpowers it. 
Colonel and Madame Chouteau lead the Grand 
March. After it Mrs. De Mun presents Mrs. 
Coalter and Caroline to them.] 

MRS. DE mun: Monsieur et Madame. May I have the 
honor to present to you Mrs. Coalter? 

CHOUTEAU: The honor is ours. 

MRS. DE mun: And Miss Coalter. 

MADAME CHOUTEAU: Jc suis enchautc. 

MRS. DE mun: Mrs. Coalter comes from South Carolina, 
Colonel Chouteau. 

MADAM^ chOuteau: Pour faire une visite, Madame? 

[32] 



MRS. coalter: Permanently, I hope, Madame Chouteau. 

[Turning to the Colonel.] 
When one has made the trip here with five daughters, one 
does not wish to return. 

CHOUTEAU: You have five daughters, Madame.'^ Your 
service to the society of St. Louis is very great. So many 
Americans come — ^all men-^few daughters — and none like 
yours. 

[He bows, and Mrs. Coalter curtseys. She and 

Caroline talk with Madame.] 
Ah, ma chere Isabelle — the balls of today are not like those 
when I was young. The Americans! But if they were 
all like this new friend of yours. Do you not fear for your 
throne, my dear.^ Five such daughters! — 
MRS. DE mun: The musicians are waiting for a word from 
you. Colonel. 

CHOUTEAU: To my duty^ — yes. 

[He waves a hand to the musicians, and the couples 
take their places for the dance. In the next pause 
of the music, after the gavotte, David Barton, 
McNair and Bates, are seen on the balcony. 
Barton has dined well and when his voice becomes 
audible he is saying] 

barton: I stopped for brother Joshua, but he wouldn't 
come. Couldn't make him come. And what do you 
think he was doing? You'd never guess. He was cleaning a 
pistol. Looked like two pistols to pie — -but that couldn't 
be. Couldn't be two — Must have been one pistol. I said 
to him, *'Joshua, come along to the ball." He said to me, 
"David, I can't go to the ball^ — I have to be, out before 
sunrise." "Joshua," I said to him, "the only way to do 
that is to go to the ball." That's reasonable, isn't it now.^ 
He wouldn't listen. Then I got suspicious. "Joshua," 
I said to him, "if you're going out with those— with that 

[33] 



pistol at sunrise, to make the sun stand still — give it up. 
You can't do it. When Joshua did it before he had the 
will of the Lord, and youVe got nothing but a horse pistol." 

BATES [Taking him firmly by the arm]: Barton, what do 
you mean? Is it a duel? 

barton: Duel? He didn't mention a duel. 

bates: David! It must be Charles Lucas and Benton 
again. They're neither of them here. Nor Luke Lawless. 

barton: [sobered by the idea.] You're right, Edward. 
I'm afraid you're right. Tom Benton — 

bates: Can nothing be done? 

barton: If it's that, nothing. 

bates: There must be some way — Colonel Chouteau — 
[But the dance music is already in full swing. At 
the end of ity the Host approaches Chouteau.] 

the host: Colonel Chouteau, the supper is ready. 

CHOUTEAU: Thank you, landlord. Madame, sil vous 

plais. 

[He leads the company out. There is much chatter 
as they gOy and the music diminishes. The lights 
in the ball room are dimmed. From the servants* 
quarters comes the sound of laughter^ and the end 
of a song. The last light inside the building 
disappears. There is only the faint glow of moon- 
light and distant music — a strain of portent, rising 
and sinking again. Now the light increases , as 
with a cold and misty dawn. The Tavern hardly 
appears at all, the light rising slant-wise to a glow 
on the ground before the terrace. This glow dis- 
closes Benton, Luke Lawless, and Dr. Farrar, 
coming up from the river on the left. Dr. Farrar 
carries his surgical hand-bag; Lawless a pistol-box. 
[34] 



Almost immediately aftefy Charles LucaSy Joshua 
Barton f also with a pistol-box y and Dr. Quarles 
enter. Joshua Barton steps forward and shakes 
hands with LawlesSy bowing to Benton. Lawless 
bows to Charles Lucas. The two surgeons nod to 
one another y and proceed to the preparation of their 
materials. Luke Lawless tosses a coiny Joshua 
Barton naming the fall. Lawless wins. The 
pistols are taken from Lawless* box and inspected 
by Joshua Bartony who makes a choice; of the two in 
Joshua Barton's box Lawless chooses one. The 
first two chosen are now handed to Benton and 
Charles Lucas. Lawless now paces the distance 
{ten paces) y and the principals are stationed. 
Lawless and Barton take their standsy pistol in 
handy facing each other across the line between 
Lucas and Benton.] 

lawless: Are you ready, gentlemen? 

BENTON AND LUCAS: Ready. 

lawless: One — 

[Benton and Lucas fire instantly. After the shoty 
Lucas spins half way Wound and falls y Dr. Quarles 
hurrying to his side. Bentony Lawless and 
Dr. Farrar stand still. Joshua Barton supports 
Charles LucaSy while the Doctor makes a hasty 
examinatiouy tearing open his shirt. Dr. Farrar, 
after a keen look at Lucas, comes over and lays his 
hand on Benton's arm. Benton suddenly drops 
the empty pistol, presses his hands to his eyes with 
a convulsive movement. Then he runs over and 
flings himself on his knees before the wounded man.] 

BENTON : Lucas — Lucas ! For the love of God, forgive me. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Coloucl Bentou — 

[His tvords fail for a moment, but he makes a 
136] 



gesture of denial. Benton rises to his feet. Lucas 
momentarily recovers breath.] 
Colonel Benton — you have persecuted me — hounded me — 
murdered me. I will not, I cannot forgive you. 

[Judge Lucas and Joseph Charless enter from the 
left. Joshua Barton stands up with a hopeless 
gesture; the Judge takes his place, supporting 
Charles on his arm.] 

JUDGE LUCAS : Charlcs, my son. 

CHARLES LUCAS : Father. It's growing dark. . . .Doctor, 

is it.^ 

[Dr. Quarles nods his head gravely. There is a 
pause. Charles moves as if to rise, and they lift 
him a little. He speaks with a great effort.] 

Colonel Benton .... I do — forgive you. 

[His head falls on his father's arrn. The old man's 
lips are on his forehead. 

Then the Judge rises, gathering up his son's body 
in his arms, and stands so for a moment. Dr. 
Quarles helping him to support his burden.] 

BENTON: Judge Lucas — you heard? 

JUDGE LUCAS : Bcutou — I can never forgive you. 

[With the limp body in his arms, the old man goes 
out the way he came. Darkness blots out the scene.] 



[36] 




"David Barton and Edward Bates. 



MISSOURI 
One Hundred Years Ago 

ACT ONE 

SCENE II. 

[It is late afternooriy and Manuel Lisa has just 
returned from the upper Missouri country ivith a 
stock of furs. His voyageurs, rough and sturdy 
Creoles, brown from long exposure on the rivers, 
are bringing up packs of pelts and storing them in 
the pelt room at the left of the Tavern, They sing 
as they work — an old Voyageur's Boat-song, the 
words in French. 

The packs are checked off by Lisa's clerk, and when 
the trader himself comes on, the Clerk gives him the 
tally sheet. Lisa pauses to examine it, his foot on 
the step. Joseph Charless comes in from the right.] 

CHARLESs: Welcome, Mr. Lisa. Just back from the 
upper Missouri? 

MANUEL LISA [Speaking with a Spanish accent): Mi. 
Charless, Good Day. Yes, I am just landed. 

charless: And the fur catch this season — is it prosperous.^ 

LISA: Along the upper river, yes. Each year we must go 
farther for the trapping. 

[The Host enters, standing in the Tavern door.] 

THE host: Mr. Lisa — glad to see you again. You must 
have had a good season. 

LISA: Good? Yes, fair. It is all as le bon Dieu wills — 
and his snows fall. Fair. And here? What has happen- 
ed here? I am a long time on the river and I have hear 
nothing. 

[37] 



THE host: News. Well, the town's growing. 

CHARLESs: You know of the Act of Congress — the 
Missouri Bill? 

LISA: Yes, I have hear. Your Congress refused to make 
a State. Yes, I hear that — long 'go. But it will come. 

CHARLESS: Ah, you haven't heard the real news. The 
compromise. Congress has passed the bill. 

LISA: Passed the bill.'^ Good. Slaves or no slaves.'^ 

CHARLESS: Slavery here in Missouri — but in the rest of 
the Louisiana purchase — West and North — no slaves. 

LISA: So — that is the compromise? 

THE host: That will be inconvenient for you, Mr. Lisa, 
on the upper river. 

LISA : No. No difference to me. Not on the upper river. 
But I rejoice with you. It will be great for the country 
to belong to the States. I have always said so. And 
when shall we — how do you say — a state become? 

CHARLESS: As soon as we have a Constitution. 

LISA: Ah yes — the book of the law. 

THE host: They're writing it here in my house. I hope 
they finish it soon. 

LISA: Writing it? 

CHARLESS: The Constitutional Convention. In session 
now. [Enter Henry Dodge.] 

dodge: Mr. Lisa, How? 

LISA: How. What you do here, Henry Dodge? 

dodge: I wonder myself, Don Manuel. I'm a delegate. 

LISA: A delegate — you, Henry Dodge? 

[38] 



CHARLEss: To the Convention, Mr. Lisa. Mr. Dodge is 
helping to write the laws. 

LISA: It is wonderful, the way of a republic. What do 
you know about laws, Henry Dodge.? 

dodge: Not much, Don Manuel. But I can see when 
they're not square, and then I stand up and pow-wow. 
And if they help to put the people on the land — to stay — 
then they're good. I can see that. 

LISA: Yes. There is a use to you. I see now. And I 
must not forget. As I came down the river, the Osages 
were pitching their canoes. They will come to see you. 
They want to make talk to the Red Head, but they will 
talk to you. 

dodge: Good. Peaceful.? 

LISA: Yes. But the settlers — they are coming too far 
to the West. The Red Head is not here.? 

dodge: No. They'd better talk to me— Governor Clark 
is still in Virginia. 

CHARLESS : 

[Seeing David Barton and Edward Bates, accom- 
panied by Benton, approaching.] 

Here are some more of your Convention makers. 

LISA: All three.? 

CHARLESS : No. Batcs and Barton — Barton's President. 
But not Benton. He's my esteemed contemporary. 
LISA: Your — what you say.? 

CHARLESS: I mean he's an editor, like me — only worse. 

And a politician besides. 

[Charles s bows rather crustily and goes off. Dodge 
sits and whittles while Lisa talks with the new- 
comers.] 

[39] 



barton: Buenos dias, Don Manuel. So the hidalgo of 
the Omahas has returned. 

LISA: Yes, Mr. David. I come home. 

barton: All peaceful in your household up the rivers.? 

LISA: Oh, yes. No mischief there — like what you make 
here. I hear you write the Constitution. Why do that.? 

barton: I'm doing it to look after your rights, Don 
Manuel. 

LISA: Yes, I hear you make law for slaves in Missouri.? 

BENTON: Well, Mr. Lisa, the people want it that way. 

LISA: Maybe so. 

BENTON: [Indicating Lisa*s Voyaguers.] 

You need them in your business, don't you, Mr. Lisa? 

LISA: Me. No. You see those boatmen — my voyageurs? 
They work the cordelle — all day — all night. They cut 
tree, make trail, carry bundle pelt. They fight, when I 
say. And they eat — what I give them. I pay these boy 
ten dollar month. Where I get slave to do that for 
eight hundred dollar? You tell me that? And if I 
get him, will he last me eighty month? No. Not import- 
ant — your law 'bout slaves. No. And this Constitution 
you write — what good that do? 

BENTON : You don't understand, Mr. Lisa. A state must 
have an organic law. 

LISA: Not important. The best was the old way — 
Spanish way. Then we have Governor. Everybody good 
— peaceful — happy. No trouble. And in the whole 
Territory, ah you mischief makers — in the whole territory 
not one lawyer. iVha! 

[Don Manuely having delivered this farting shot, 
bows gaily and goes into the Tavern.] 

[40] 



dodge; Smart fellow, Lisa. 

[He drops his whittling and follows Lisa in,] 

BENTON : Tell me, David — is there any convention news 
for my paper? 

BARTON : There will be tonight. 

BENTON: You mean you will finish it tonight? 

barton: If Edward Bates and his committee on Style 
gets through. 

bates: We'll finish. If the political delegates can spare 
time from the pursuit of offices that don't yet exist, we 
may get a vote tonight. 

BENTON : What offices? 

barton: There's a Governor to be elected. 

BENTON: My aspirations do not range so high. 

barton: Alec McNair's do. 

BENTON: Yes, I know. 

bates: And two Senators. 

BENTON : That's more to my taste. 

barton: We'll arrange it for you. Come along, Edward. 
[As they go in, Isaac Henry comes on, evidently 
looking for Benton.] 

ISAAC henry: Well, Benton, I saw you talking with 
Mr. Barton. Any news for me? 

BENTON : There will be tonight, they say. I'll write it 
myself, Mr. Henry. It's very important. 

henry: That's not the news I mean, Benton. I want to 
know — does the Enquirer get the printing of the Consti- 
tution? 

BENTON: Mr. Henry, as editor of the Enquirer, it is not 
my duty to solicit my friends for mere job printing. 

[41] 



henry: Well, I'm not running the paper just to let you 
flourish your pen. If old Charless of the Gazette gets 
that job — 

[Enter McNair.] 

MC NAiR [Expansively]: 

Ah, Mr. Benton — Mr. Henry. I take it I'm addressing 

the Enquirer — the only real press power in Missouri. 

[Benton bows; Henry merely waits.] 
You may have heard of my candidacy for the Governor- 
ship, gentlemen. Naturally, I want your support. 

BENTON: We've heard of your candidacy, Mr. McNair, 
but we've heard nothing of your principles. 

MC nair: My principles? I'm for the sovereignty of the 
State — for no interference from Congress — no restrictions 
on our Constitution. I'm against — 

henry: Yes, we understand. You're against horse 
stealing and the Missouri Gazette. 

MC nair: Mr. Henry — 

henry: No good telling us your principles, McNair. 
What you want is a neat card in the Enquirer to tell 
everybody. I'll attend to it for you, on a very moderate 
charge. 

MC nair: Perhaps you're right, Mr. Henry. 

henry: Of course I am. Now another thing, McNair. 
I don't care a damn who's Governor, so long as the 
Enquirer gets the printing of the Constitution. You're a 
delegate. Verbum sap. 

MC nair: I can't follow your Latin, but I'm sure you 
mean it right. [He shakes hands with Henry.] 
Yours to command {to Benton) and yours. 

[Mr. Charless enters, right, with Judge Lucas. 

Charless stops on seeing McNair with the others.] 
[42] 



CHARLESS: You sec, Judge. They are already dividing 
the loaves and fishes. 

JUDGE LUCAS: Convention may vote tonight. Constitu- 
tion — offices. Offices — men like those. 
[McNair comes over genially.] 

MC nair: Judge Lucas — Mr. Charless. Glad to see you 
both. You may have heard of my candidacy for Governor. 

CHARLESS, [sarcastically] : I have heard your friends were 
urging you to become a candidate — 

MC nair: Nothing of the sort. I'm urging my friends 
to work for me. It's my affair, not my friends. 

JUDGE LUCAS: Good. The less your friends have to do 
with it the better. 

[He indicates Beyiton and Henry with his cane.] 

MC nair: My principles — 

JUDGE LUCAS : Ncvcr mind. My principles — always to 
fight the slave trade — and the Spanish grants — and that 
man yonder. At any sacrifice. Now if you want my 
support — 

MC nair: I understand, Judge Lucas. I have the 
greatest respect — 

JUDGE LUCAS : You'rc a delegate in the Convention. I'm 
judging by what you do there. Governor.'^ Wait 'till 
there's a State to govern. 

charless: My advice to you, Mr. McNair, is that you 
make terms with the secret caucus of reprobate lawyers 
among the delegates. You know who they are. They've 
already planned the division of the spoils. If you're on 
their slate for Governor, they may elect you. If you're 
not, I'll support you. Good morning. 

[Charless and Judge Lucas turn and go out. 

McNair turns back to Henry and Benton.] 
[43] 



henry: Come along, Mr. McNair, and we'll arrange for 

your card to the public. 

[He takes McNair off rights Benton, going into the 
tavern, passes Bates coming out with Mrs, Coalier, 
Caroline and Julia.] 

MRS. coalter: I begin to see, Mr. Bates. Of course, we 
in Carolina have always known that Congress will always 
put down the South when it can. I don't know what the 
country would have come to by this time if it weren't for 
Mr. Randolph and Mr. Calhoun. But in this case — what 
can the Yankees do? 

bates: They can refuse to admit the State. 

MRS. coalter: Absurd. Just on account of a few no- 
account slaves? They wouldn't dare. 

bates: One Congress has already refused. And but for 
the Compromise — 

JULIA coalter: Mr. Bates — what do you mean by the 
Compromise? Won't you please explain — 

[Caroline moves away a little and stands apart,] 

bates: I should be glad to, Miss Julia. The Compromise 
is an act of Congress, enabling Missouri to organize as a 
State with slavery. This is according to the Treaty with 
France, when the territory was ceded. But the land to 
the West and North must never hold slaves. 

JULIA: But 'way out there — there won't be anybody for 
ages and ages, will there? 

bates: Perhaps sooner than we think. 

JULIA: Well I'm glad I understand it, aren't you, 

Caroline? 

CAROLINE: I'm afraid I have no head for politics. 

[Hamilton Gamble approaches along the terrace. 
Bates moves to greet him. Gamble stops and bows 

[44] 



to Mrs, Coalter and Caroline. Mrs. Coalter barely 
inclines her head. Caroline looks straight before 
her.] 

MRS. coalter: Thank you so much, Mr. Bates. Caroline. 

Julia. 

[She gathers up her daughters and sweeps up the 
steps into the door. Caroline casts a look behind 
hery but neither of the young men observe it.] 

gamble: Bates — you lucky devil! 

bates: What do you mean, Gamble? 

gamble: Well, you're lucky, and I'm — what I am, I 
suppose. She — she couldn't see anything in me. But 
I did think, once — 

bates: One moment, Gamble. Miss Caroline has no 
interest in me — except as a friend. She never has had. 

gamble: Are you telling me the truth? 

bates: Gamble! 

gamble: Don't be a fool. If you knew what it means 
to me — 

bates: Tell me, do you love her, seriously? 

gamble: Yes, I do. On my life, I do. Bates. 

bates: I believe you. And I'm going to tell you a thing 
or two. Gamble. First, you've better things in you than 
you've ever shown. I'm not going to preach to you. 
But you've only to turn over a leaf .... to find her. 

gamble: No, did you see her just now? No use. 

bates: You're wrong. Quit drink. Leave cards. Take 
hold of yourself, and she's yours. 

gamble: What makes you think so? 

bates: She as good as told me so. 

145] 



gamble: I can't believe it — she wouldn't — 

bates: I may have forced her hand. I was insisting, at 
the time, that she marry me. 

gamble: And you're telling me this? 

bates: She said I might continue her friend. Yes, I'm 
telling you. 

gamble: Bates — you're — you're a — 

bates: Never mind. The question is — 

gamble: Have I anything of a man left in me? That's 
the question. Well, I won't promise anything impossible, 
but tonight I turn the leaf. Turn it for good. Edward 
Bates, — God bless you. 

[Gamble shakes Bates by the hand, turns, throws up 
his head, and goes out, a new light in his eyes. 
David Barton comes out of the Tavern.] 

barton: Well, Edward? Dreaming? What have you 
been doing? 

bates: I've just put an end to a dream — and planted a 
seed .... David, is there such a thing as lasting friendship— 
the sort one imagines — the sort that goes through fire? 

barton: Yes, Edward. But not in politics. 

[Kibbie is seen passing on his umy to the stables. 
Mandy comes out of the servant's doorway and her 
voice is lifted after Kibbie.] 

mandy: Kibbie — you, Kibbie. 

kibbie: [stopping]: Yes, Mandy. 

mandy: Now look you come straight home after you get 
them horses shod. 

kibbie: Yes, Mandy. 

146] 



mandy: And look you don't go pitching fo' pennies with 
them lazy hounds hanging around the blacksmith shop. 

kibbie: No, Mandy. 

mandy: Mind now. I know just how much money you 

got in your jeans. I got my eye on you. 

kibbie: Yes, Mandy. Can I go now? 

mandy: Yes, and hurry back. I's going to need help 

with them chickens. 

kibbie: Yes, Mandy. 

[Kihbie starts to go, and Mandy disappears through 

the door.] 
barton : Kibbie. 
kibbie: Yes, Mr. Barton. 

barton: I though you were a free man, Kibbie. 
KIBBIE [smiling broadly] : I used to be, Mr. Barton. 
Yes, sir, I used to be. [Kibbie goes out.] 

[McFerron comes from the tavern, followed by John 

Scott, who is protesting to him.] 
SCOTT : For God's sake, McFerron, don't do anything to 
obstruct the Convention now. 

MC ferron: And why not now? Tomorrow will be too 
late. 

SCOTT : There's enough trouble in the Constitution. I'll 
have to fight my way into Congress with it, as it is. 

MC ferron: David Barton, if you're sober, listen to me. 
I'm hearing you're for forcing a vote on the adoption of 
the Constitution to-night. Is that true? 

barton: McFerron, I am sober. I am always sober 
when Court's in session. But if this Convention lasts 
much longer, I shall be breaking the rule of a lifetime. 
It is true that I'm for a vote of adoption to-night. 

[47] 



MC ferron: Well, before you do it, I must inform you 
that the document you propose to adopt has in it one evil 
and nefarious provision, and if it's not changed, I will 
exert all my power to defeat it. 

barton: And what is the nefarious provision, McFerron? 

MC ferron: It concerns the qualifications for the 
Governor. I'll not discuss it with you now. But I give 
you fair warning. 

barton: Have you registered your opinion with the 
Committee? 

MC ferron: I have. 

BARTON : I foresee a bloody battle between you and the 
majority. 

MC ferron: I have told you what you may expect. 

You'll hear from me in the Convention. 

[McFerron goes into the Tavern. Members of the 
Convention come in by twos and threes, arguing 
among themselves. The sun has set and it is 
twilight.] 

barton: Is McFerron a candidate for Governor? 

SCOTT : Doesn't he control the solid Irish vote of Cape 
Girardeau County? 

[Benton comes out of the Tavern and joins Barton.] 

BENTON : David, I've just had word from Governor Clark. 
He is willing to be a Candidate for Governor. We should 
revise our slate. 

[Enter Charless, who stops to talk tvith Pierre 

Chouteau, among the delegates.] 

SCOTT: Will the Governor be here for the campaign? 
BENTON: No. 

[McNair, entering, stops to speak with Chouteau 
and Charless.] 

[481 



barton: He can't be elected then. Anyway, McNair's 

all right. 

BENTON: I'm not so sure. 

CHARLEss: I've told you my condition, Mr. McNair. 

There are your men, up yonder. 

[He indicates Barton* s group.] 

MC NAIR : Do you stand by your statement, Mr. Charless? 

CHARLESS : I do. 

MC NAIR: Then I'll soon find out. 

[He steps forward and calls to Barton,] 
Mr. Barton — and you other gentlemen. I've been told 
that you represent a secret caucus, that has made a slate 
of the state officers to be elected. I am not a member of 
this caucus. I don't know whether it exists or not. 
I stand in the open, and I ask you : Is there such a caucus? 

BARTON : Is it a secret caucus you're asking about — here, 
and now? And if there is one, do you expect an answer? 

MC NAIR : I have my answer. And next, are you for me 

or against me? 

barton: McNair — 'till a minute ago, I was for you. 

MC nair: Now I know where I stand with the lawyers. 
Mr. Charless, I put the same question to you. 

charless: Mr. McNair, you are a delegate to this 
Convention. Have you done anything in it, except vote? 

MC nair: Mr. Charless, I still have hopes with you, 
because of the men who are against me. Now I give you 
all notice. I stand in the open. I've told you what I 
want. You ask me about the Convention. That's work 
for lawyers — and God knows there are enough of them at 
it. I'm a man of action. And it's a man of action that 
will be needed for the first Governor of Missouri. I don't 

[491 



care whether I have your support or not — nor yours. 
I am going straight to the people. 

barton: McNair — that's the best speech I ever heard 
you make. 

MC nair: Come along now, Barton. Let's get to the 
business of the Convention. 

barton: Again — I'm with you. 

[Barton, followed by the others go into the Tavern, 
Judge Lucas enters. He addresses Charless, but 
speaking half to himself.] 

JUDGE LUCAS: So. It comes to an end. They vote — 
not thinking. No beat of the future. No restriction of 
slavery. ... 

CHARLEss: I have seen the slavery provisions. They are 
humane. They are what the majority of the people want. 

JUDGE LUCAS : 

[The twilight is now almost gone, and the Judge is 
standing under the doorway light.] 
The majority. Writing the organic law. The majority's 
word. To me it seems blind. People we need — settlers. 
Men to break new land. Women to comrade men. They 
come from the South. Bring slaves. The door must not 
be closed. Charless — there's more to it than this. More 
than policy. More than anger. God knows .... 

[In the gloom along the terraces, people gather, 
quietly waiting. The lights in the room above are 
lighted, and the Convention is disclosed in session. 
David Barton is in the chair. William G. Pettus, 
diligently taking notes of the proceedings, is seated 
beside him. Edward Bates is just concluding his 
report as Chairman of the Committee on Final 
Revision, or Style.] 

[50] 



bates: This, Mr. Chairman and members of the Conven- 
tion, is the report of my Committee. You have labored 
faithfully in the fashioning of this instrument of Govern- 
ment. We have endeavored to give it final form in accord 
with your intent. We find the Territory under three 
systems of law — French, Spanish and the English common 
law. This is the first step to make it one and organic. 
A state is not created in a day. There must be a time of 
transition, when the old disorder gradually gives way to 
the new order. For this you have provided the part of the 
instrument called the Schedule, applying to the problems 
of the days of change. And before you face the great 
duty of this night, you should, in the opinion of this 
Committee, vote finally upon the Schedule. 

barton: If no one objects, the report of the Committee 
stands accepted. A vote upon the Schedule is in order. 
The text is before you. 

MC nair: Mr. Chairman, I move the Schedule be 

adopted. 

[ There are shouts of ''second — second.'' Mr. Pettus 
strives to note the names of the seconders.] 

MC ferron: I object. 

barton: The chair rules the objection is out of order. 

MC FERRON [Sotto vocc) I I'm always out of order. 

BARTON [Also sotto voce\\ Right for once. 

[Shouts of "Question — Question.''] 
Those in favor of the adoption of the part of this Constitu- 
tion following Article Thirteen, but not a part of it, 
entitled Schedule, signify by saying Aye. 

[An almost unanimous affirmative vote.] 
Contrary ? 
MC ferron: No. And I demand the right to state my 

[51] 



reason, and that my statement be made a part of the 
record. 

barton: The gentleman from Cape Girardeau County 
rises on a point of privilege. 

[Shouts of ''Let him taW—"McFerron'' ''Erin- 

go'bragh.*'] 
Mr. McFerron. 

MC ferron: I read in the draft before me that the 
Governor to be elected must have been a citizen native 
born, or a citizen of Louisiana at the time of the session, 
fourteen years ago. I find no provision for the temporary 
lifting of this bar to legitimate ambition. The provision 
is a work of tyranny. The lack of a section temporarily 
setting it aside, is a nefarious device to defeat the will of 
the people. I myself came into this Territory after the 
cession — 

[His voice is momentarily drowned in the laughter 

of the delegates.] 
Aye, ye may laugh, ye contrivin' spalpeens — 

[Barton's gavel falls. There is a moment of silence.] 

barton: The Chair rules that the objection of the 
gentleman from Cape Girardeau shall be entered in the 
record as far as the words "defeat the will of the people." 

MC FERRON [Sotto voce] I Ayc — dom ye — leave out the best 
part of it. [McFerron sits down.] 

barton: Gentlemen of the Convention, the Constitution 
is before you. 

JOHN SCOTT [Rising] : Mr. Chairman. 

barton: Mr. Scott. 

SCOTT: I read in this Constitution, in the twenty-sixth 
section of the Third Article, that it shall be the duty of 
the General Assembly to pass laws, to prevent free negroes 

[52] 




"Judge John B. C. Lucas." 



and mulattoes from coming to, and settling in, this state, 

under any pretext whatsoever. 

[There is a groivl of protest from the memhers — 
''We've voted that before'' — ''Question/' Barton's 
gavel falls sharply.] 

I am one with you in the heat of my resentment against 
those forces which, in the Congress of the United States, 
have blocked and delayed the purposes of this Conven- 
tion — the alien hand that has been laid like iron upon the 
will of our people. It has been my duty to act as your 
delegate in that Congress; to listen to the arguments of 
those men who, representing the East and North, have 
thwarted and forbidden us. We have won through 
struggle and compromise the right to sit here. We have 
written our organic law in accordance with the expressed 
wish of our fellow citizens. We have legalized the holding 
of slaves. 

[A murmur of dissatisfaction from the delegates.] 
And Congress has accepted this, under the condition of 
the Compromise. But the Federal Constitution provides 
that no State may forbid its borders to any citizen of 
another state. And of many, free negroes are citizens. 
Heretofore we have asked nothing inconsistent with the 
Constitution and the Treaty of Cession. But here we 
strike a new blow at the prejudices of our enemies. They 
will strike back. It will be my duty to present to Congress 
the instrument we adopt tonight. I accept the charge, 
but with dread of what must come of it, if this clause 
remains unchanged. 

[He takes his seat. There is a pause, and Henry 

Dodge rises.] 

DODGE : Mr. Chairman, we have voted this clause because 
our people have wished it. It will be opposed in Congress. 
Some of us, in our hearts, oppose it. Some of us are 
unlearned in the law. We see before us a leap into the 

[53] 



night. Mr. Chairman, when we have taken the leap, 
where do we find ourselves, when morning comes? 
MC nair: [not addressing the Chair]: Let's make the 
leap. What can Congress do, after we're a State? 

barton: [Stepping aside and motioning Bates to chair.] 
Mr. Chairman, and members of the Convention: It is 
not merely a question of law that confronts us, but one of 
far-entangled political forces. We have been elected to 
do the will of the men of Missouri. We are false to our 
trust if we betray their commands. They bid us form a 
State, Congress has agreed, and the conditions they have 
made rest not upon us, but upon future Congresses. We 
have been given our orders. We must obey. But that 
obedience will surely bring upon our people a new struggle, 
for which they have small patience — the struggle, not for 
Statehood, but for Admission to the Union. This is the 
contingency we must face: Missouri now by our act a 
sovereign state, cut off from territorial dependencies and 
territorial privileges, submitting her basic law to the 
Union, confident of her rights to her place in the starry 
league — Missouri in that hour affronted and rejected. 
Foresee the hour. Take counsel. Under your conscience 
and in your hands is the issue. For if we erect a State 
inadmissible to the Union — we stand alone — our laws 
contemned, our borders unguarded, our future in the ken 

[In a silence, Barton resumes the Chair.] 
MC nair: Mr. Chairman, we have heard the warning. 
We know our orders from the people of Missouri. It is 
not in this one clause that there is danger, but in all. Let 
us come to the vote. 

barton: To adopt the instrument before you as the 
Constitution of Missouri, and by that act to erect and 
proclaim the State — those in favor? 
[A deep chorus of ''Ayes.''] 

[54] 



Contrary? [A silence.] 
It is so ordered. 

[The delegates rise and stand for a moment with 
bowed heads. Then they break up into groups, 
and McNair, going onto the balcony, calls out to 
someone below.] 

MC nair: It's done. 

[Instantly the crowd below breaks into a cheer. 
Others come on with lanterns. The shouting con- 
tinues for a moment, and Barton, the new constitu- 
tion in his hand, comes out on the balcony. Beside 
him Pettus holds a candelabrum caught up from 
behind the Secretary's desk. Barton holds up his 
hand for silence, and begins to read.] 

barton: We, the people of Missouri by our repre- 
sentatives in convention assembled at St. Louis, on 
Monday, the 12th day of June, 1820, do mutually agree 
to form and establish a free and independent republic 
by the name of the State of Missouri 

[Cheers. The lights begin to fade.] 
and for the government thereof do ordain and establish 
this constitution. 

[It is now dark. The stage has vanished. And 

the crash of a triumphant march supersedes his 

voice.] 



Mi 



MISSOURI 
One Hundred Years Ago 

ACT TWO 



Scene 1. 



[ The time is a few months later y in the autumn of 
1820. The first legislature elected under the new 
Constitution is in session; and the election of the 
State's first Senators is the order of the day. 
Before the Tavern is a considerable crowd, politi- 
cians y and citizens — of whom almost every man is 
potentially a politician. They are discussing the 
coming election and the location of the permanent 
Capital. 

They talk in groups y and certain ones move from 
group to group restlessly. The front of the Tavern 
is prepared for the occasion. There are benches 
and a few rough chairs on the terrace, and two or 
three small tables. In the talk of the crowd, one 
catches words now and then.] 

VOICES IN THE CROWD: 

Barton will be one. 
St. Charles. 

Judge Lucas has just a fightin' chance. 
Benton — no ! 

It's the damned high salary Constitution. 
Of course Sainte Genevieve is the oldest. 
Potosi. 

Why, in St. Charles they offer a building for the Legisla- 
ture free! 

[56] 



Franklin. 

Boonville — No. 

They'll never get Alec McNair to Franklin. 

Depends who owns the lots. 

Well, they tell me Chouteau*s in it. 

St. Charles. 

No doubt about John Scott. 

Oh Congress — Hell! 

Yes, Dave Barton — and Rice Jones — 

It's only a temporary capitol anyhow. 

Franklin — the river's in the cellars there now. 

Here he is — He's coming. 

He's a man, Alec McNair. 

The Governor — the Governor! 

[McNaify now Governor, with Lieutenant-Governor 
Ashley, and his staf, enters from the right. The 
crowd cheers and lets them pass. Two or three 
persistent individuals follow along and try to get 
speech with McNair. He shakes them off, genially 
enough, and stops on the steps of the Tavern.] 

Mc nair: There, boys, be quiet. I know what you 
want — and you — and you. And I tell you all — No. 

citizens: Oh, come now Alec — . . . .We want to know 

where you stand on this State Capitol question 

St. Charles offers a building free Governor, you know 

who carried Howard County for you 

MC nair: Boys, it's no good pestering me. The Legis- 
lature will settle where the Capitol's to be located. And 
this is a mighty important day for the State. It's no time 
for log-rolling. They're going to elect our Senators 
to-day, and the less you all have to say about it the better. 

JOHN SMITH t: Come now. Governor, ain't we all citizens? 

MC nair: A few of you are — but most of you are 
Candidates. 

[57] 



[McNair and his staff go into the Tavern. John 
Smith T seats himself at a small table on the 
terrace. The men in the neighborhood sheer away 
from him. He catches the eye of Kibbie, who is 
passing, and holds up one finger. Kibbie stops,] 

JOHN SCOTT : Kibbie, will you tell the landlord that 
Colonel John Smith T is sitting just here, and that he has 
nothing to drink? 

kibbie: Yes sir, Colonel. I'll tell him. 

[Kibbie goes into the Tavern. John Scott comes 
along the Terrace. He is greeted with enthusiasm 
by the citizens, a number of whom insist on shaking 
hands with him. John Smith T even rises to greet 
him.] 

JOHN SMITH t: Well — John Scott, I*m truly glad to see 
you. I must thank you for what you did for me in that 
little matter down at Sainte Genevieve. 

JOHN SCOTT : I couldn't wait for the verdict, Colonel, 
but it must have been for us, or you wouldn't be here. 

JOHN SMITH t: Well of course I did shoot the man, but 
after your able speech, the jury understood the matter 
thoroughly, and they acquitted me, sir, without argument. 

JOHN SCOTT : That's what I told them to do. 

[The Host appears with a servant who carries a 
tray with two glasses.] 

host: Colonel, you didn't say which you wanted, but I 
knew you didn't want to be kept waiting, so I brought 
you a toddy and a julep. Which shall it be.'^ 

JOHN SMITH t: God blcss me, what a question! 

[The servant with the glasses tries to get behind the 

Host.] 
Put'em both down. Don't you see you're keeping rne 
waiting now. 

[58] 



[The servant puts both glasses on the tablcy and 
goes out, following the Host.] 
Mr. Scott — which'll you have? 

JOHN SCOTT: After you, Colonel. 

[Edward Bates comes over to speak to Scott, and 

John Smith T addresses him. 
JOHN SMITH t: Mr. Bates, I'm informed that you are 
starting a Temperance Society here. 

bates; Yes, Colonel. 

JOHN smith t: Well, before you do it, I want you to 
take a drink with me. 

bates: Why, Colonel Smith, I never took a drink in 
my life. 

JOHN SMITH t: [Drawing a pistol,] No? And if you don't 

take this one, you never will. 

[Scott steps out of the line of fire. Bates resists 
as long as he can, but John Smith Ts eye is 
implacable. Bates drinks, and escapes into 
the Tavern. 

Scott sits down as David Barton comes out on the 
doorstep. He is immediately greeted with cheers, 
and shouts of ''Barton — Barton for Senator.''] 

JOHN SMITH t: What are ye doing out here, David .^ 
Thought you'd be 'lectioneering 'bout now. 

BARTON : There's nobody in there but legislators. I came 
out because I got lonesome. 

A CITIZEN: You'll be a Senator tonight. Barton. 

barton: I hope you're right, my friend — but you can't 
tell — with those fellows in there. 

JOHN SMITH t: You'll manage it, David. I hear you 
wrote a Constitution for the State, just so you could 
understand the law. Up and coming — I call it. • 

[59] 



barton: Slander, Colonel, slander when did you 

hear of my losing a case under the French or Spanish 
practice? You may hear anything about me — I've got 
so damn many friends. 

JOHN SCOTT : Well, you'll need them all, David, tonight 
when the senatorship vote comes on. 

barton: Quite right, John. And yet every sensible man 
in Missouri agrees I ought to go to the Senate. 

A CITIZEN : There's no doubt about your election, David. 
It's the second senatorship they'll fight about. 

[Charless and Judge Lucas entery with Leduc] 

JOHN SMITH t: [indicating the new arrivals.]: How about 
these gentlemen, David? Aren't they sensible men? 

barton: I'll tell you how you can find out. Colonel. 
Ask them a question. Put it to Mr. Charless and Judge 
Lucas and Mr. Leduc — put it to them: Gentlemen, is 
there in the State of Missouri one man who by his capacity, 
integrity, and gifts of speech and person, is as well fitted 
to represent the State in the Senate of the United States 
as David Barton? 

JOHN SMITH t: Well gentlemen, you've heard David's 

question. 

[ The crowd by this time has ceased all argument and 
is listening intently to Barton* s question.] 

JUDGE LUCAS: Heard it? — yes. 

JOHN SMITH t: Decline to answer, eh? And you, Mr. 
Charless? How does the Gazette stand? 

charless: If it weren't for your caucus of scalawag 
lawyers, Barton — and for your profligate private life, — 
I'd endorse your election heartily. As it is, clever as you 
are, I wouldn't vote for you for any office whatever. 

barton: God bless me! Not even for the Legislature? 

[60] 



LEDUC: You may regret so light speaking of the Legis- 
lature, M*sieu* Barton. 

CHARLEss: You are not helping your chances, Barton. 

barton: I*m not hurting them, Mr. Charless. M'sieu* 
Leduc knows me. I may have mentioned my superior 
attainments too openly. But I haven't set myself against 
the intelligent gentlemen of the so-called caucus, and I 
haven't burned my fingers on the slavery restriction 
question. As for my private life — it's a private matter; 
Washington is a long way off; and you'll always find me 
sober in my seat in the Senate Chamber. 

JOHN SMITH T [ChuckUng]: Aye, that's where they'll find 
you — sober or not. 

charless: I believe you, Barton. And whom have you 
and your caucus decided to seat with you? 

BARTON [Suddenly serious]: Thomas Hart Benton. 

JUDGE LUCAS : Ncvcr! 

barton: Your son forgave him, Judge Lucas. 

charless: a man crimsoned with blood — deliberate — 
calculating — 

JOHN SMITH t: a leetle more careful, Mr. Charless — 

leduc: An assassin! 

JOHN SMITH t: 'Pears to me you gentlemen are using 
pretty strong language, considering he never shot but 

one man 

judge LUCAS: One man. My son.... And besides, 
his position on slavery — no restriction. He will put back 
the hour when we are clean of it. And the Spanish grants 
— an advocate for them in the Senate Chamber! 
[Leduc moves uneasily.] 

BARTON : He will be elected — tonight. 

[61] 



JiJDiGE LUCAS : He will neVer be elected. 

[Judge Lucas and Charless go on. Leduc hesitates^ 
and then follows them ojf.] 

JOHN SMITH T [musing]: Fine old man, Judge Lucas. 
Upstanding man. Too upstanding. I often wish Tom 
Benton had shot him instead of Charles. 

JOHN SCOTT: Well, thank you, Colonel. I'll be going. 

JOHN SMITH t: Goodbye, John. 

[Scott joins Barton and goes into the Tavern. 
John T looks after him, arid speaks, again 
musingly.] 

JOHN SMITH t: Good lad, John Scott. Great ability. 

Wonder what the devil he'll do for a living when he gets 

out of office. 

[From the right come a small group, tattered, weary 
and desperate. A Pioneer Mother and her children; 
with her, their Grandmother. She comes to the 
terrace step, looks up, and they all, rather painfully, 
mount the steps. Seeing John Smith T, she 
addresses him.] 

THE mother: They told me the Governor was here. 
Mought you know where I can find him.^ 

JOHN SMITH T [Rising courteously]: Yes Ma'm. I saw 
Governor McNair come in, just a moment ago. 

THE mother: McNair. That's not the name. Clark, 
they told me. 

JOHN SMITH t: It's Alcc McNair's Governor now. 

the mother: I'll talk to him, then. 

[She starts to go in, hut the old Grandmother stops 
on the step.] 

THE grandmother: Wait a bit, Jinny. Just a breath. 
[The old woman sinks down. The Mother comds 

[62] 



down to her anxiously. John Smith T moves up 

toward the door.] 
THE mother: Cain't ye keep up just a mite longer, ma? 
We*re *most there. 

JOHN SMITH T I I'll find the Governor for ye. 

THE mother: Be ye swound agin, ma? 

JOHN smith t: Better get the landlord's wife first. 
[He goes in. The smallest child cries.] 

the mother: There, honey. Be still. Injuns. 
[The child stops crying.] 

THE grandmother: How kin ye, Jinny? 

the mother: What's the odds, ma? There's no good 

their crying now. 

[The Hostess comes out, bringing a generous 
pitcher of milk and a cup. She gives the Grand- 
mother a drink; then the children^ who crowd 
around her thirstily. John T follows her out.] 

THE hostess: You've come a long ways. Tired, aren't 
you? 

the mother [In a dull, level voice]: Yes, we've come a 
long ways. We've got to see the Governor. We've come 
from up beyond Westport Landing. 

JOHN SMITH t: What's that — way from the Platte coun- 
try. How'd ye come? 

the mother: Walked. 'Cept from the Femme Osage 
down to Franklin. They took us on a keel boat that fur. 

the grandmother: Might 'a been another boat, but 
Jinny, she couldn't wait. 

THE mother: No, I couldn't wait. I've got to see the 

Governor. They killed my man. They — killed him-^— 

[She rises impetuously.] ' ' ' .- ■ 
[63] 



THE hostess: There, sister — sit down now. Drink this. 

THE mother: You're mighty good to me. No. I don't 
want it. 

JOHN SMITH T : What were you doing way up there in 
the Platte country? No settlements there. 

THE mother: There's folks thar. And more comin*. 
My man went thar for the good clay. 

the hostess: Clay? 

THE mother: Yes — for dishes. He was a potter, my 
man was. Never believed bad about nobody — not even 
Injuns. First it was New Madrid. Then the earthquake 
come. Then it was Chariton. We had a wagon then, 
and a team — a good team. 

THE grandmother: That was the trouble — the team. 
When he got the bosses, he wanted to go on. 

the mother: He'd a' gone on any way. 

the grandmother: Pretty place it was — all open. And 
we had a cabin started. 

the mother : Yes, it was open. Right down to the river. 
My man was digging for clay on the bank. I heard the 
shots — three shots. 

the grandmother: Then was when I barred the cabin 
windows. The children inside. 

the mother: I waited as long as I could. Then I went 
out — toward the river bank. They come for me. Then 
my man — they run when they seen him. He come up 
over the bank. All clay his hands were — clay and blood. 
They'd scalped him. He staggered like he was drunk. 
It was the blood running down into his eyes .... ye see — 
I got to see the Governor. 

the hostess: Come in, sister. The Governor's here. 

[641 



JOHN SMITH t: Bless ye, ma'am — I don't see what he 
can do. 

THE mother: My man said I was to see him. He can 
go after the Injuns. And he can give me a claim to work, 
me and these children. 

[Leduc returns, accoiwpanied by Pierre Chouteau 

and Bernard Pratte.] 

CHOUTEAU: It is not a question of your private feelings, 
my friend, but of the public interest. 

leduc: I cannot put my feelings aside so far. 

pbatte: You agree to vote for Barton? Yes. 

leduc: I will vote for Barton, but for Benton — never, 

CHOUTEAU: We understand that you disapprove of the 
duel. But many men have fought. It is nothing against 
him in politics — 

leduc: I understand what you think. But for an 
assassin. For him I cannot vote. Not ever. 

[Leduc goes into the Tavern. The others shrug 
their shoulders, looking after him. Barton comes 
out, and approaches Chouteau.] 

barton: Well, Major Chouteau, have you talked with 
M'sieu' Leduc. 

CHOUTEAU: Yes, Mr. Barton. He will vote for you. 
But for Benton — no. 

barton: We must try again. 

CHOUTEAU: I'm afraid we can never persuade him. 
Why not talk to some of the others? 

barton: Major, we have canvassed every man in the 
Legislature. I'm safe, but we can muster only twenty-six 
votes for Benton. He must have twenty-seven to elect 
him. There is not one more approachable man — we 
must have Leduc. 

[65] 



PRATTE — I'm afraid it's no use, Mr. Barton. 

[Dr. Quarles comes out of the Tavern and goes 
directly to Barton.] 

DR. quarles: Barton — I've just come from seeing that 
poor fellow from up in Pike. 

barton: Oh yes, Doctor. Daniel Ralls. Heard he 
wasn't well. 

DR. quarles: Sinking fast. Asked me to tell you — 
personally — he wants to vote. That seems to be his only 
idea — wants to vote for you and Benton. But if he doesn't 
do it soon — he can never do it. 

barton: What do you mean, Doctor Quarles? 

DR. quarles: The man's dying. Didn't you know.'^ 

barton: Good Lord, no. Poor fellow. 

DR. quarles: Might as well humor him. If you can 
get them on with this election — all he wants is to vote. 

barton: How long can he be kept alive.? 

DR. quarles: May live 'till morning. May not. I've 
done what little I could. 

[Dr. Quarles stops to speak to John Smith T and 

then goes off.] 

barton [ To Pratte] : Find John Scott for me — not a 
moment to lose. And you, Mr. Chouteau — can you 
locate Mr. Leduc? I'll try what I can do. 

[Pratte goes into the Tavern^ Chouteau off after 

Leduc] 

JOHN smith t: What's up, David? I never saw those 
two in a hurry before. 

barton: That poor fellow from Pike — Daniel Ralls, 
Wants to vote. And we don't want to disappoint him. 
[John Scott and Bates come out, looking for Barton.] 
[66] 



JOHN SCOTT : What is it, David? 

BARTON : Ralls is dying. He's one of our twenty-six for 

Benton. He wants to vote. Can you get them to rush 

the election. f* 

SCOTT : Yes — but what's the use? 

bates: We have only twenty-six for Benton, counting 

Ralls. We can't elect him. 

barton: Do what you can to hasten the vote. Leave 

the rest to me. 

bates: Shall I bring Benton? 

barton: No. 

[Chouteau enters with Leduc. Barton goes to him 
immediately. The others return to the Tavern.] 

CHOUTEAU: M'sieu' Leduc consents to speak with you, 
Mr. Barton. But he assures me he cannot change his vote. 

barton: M'sieu' Leduc, you have some confidence in me. 
You know I will be elected to the Senate tonight. 

LEDUC : Yes. I know that, M'sieu' Barton. 

barton: You will vote for me? 

leduc: Yes. 

barton: And yet you will by your other vote tonight 
destroy all the power you give me. Cancel my vote in the 
Senate. Is this fair? Is this wise? 

leduc: I do not understand. I destroy nothing. 

barton: Yes — you do. You will vote for Judge Lucas? 

leduc: No. I will vote for Rice Jones. 

barton: He cannot be elected. I know. In the end it 
will be Judge Lucas. I have a great respect for Judge 
Lucas, but I should never agree with him. It will mean 
that he and I will sit in the Senate, voting against each 

[6.7] 



other. And Missouri will be without voice or vote. 
You, M*sieu* Leduc, are destroying not only me — but the 
authority of the State. 

leduc: What can I do? 

barton: You know — vote for Benton. 

leduc: I cannot bring myself to do that, M'sieu* Barton. 

barton: Can you not lay aside personal feeling so far? 

leduc: No. 

BARTON : I can. I can even lay aside my personal opinion 
so far as to vote with Judge Lucas. And when the two 
of us vote together — perhaps when the Spanish grants 
come up in Congress — I say no more .... Only to you, and 
to Messieurs Chouteau and Pratte as well, I say — it is 
Benton or Judge Lucas. 

leduc: Mon Dieu — what shall I say? 

[Barton steps away. Chouteau and Pratte close 
in on Leduc. Benton enters. Barton sees him, 
and goes over to hiniy detaining him with his hand 
while watching Leduc. Chouteau and Pratte press 
their point in anxious whispers. Leduc gives icay 
— offering them his hand; the three go into the 
Tavern. Night is coming on.\ 

barton: It's all right, Tom. There goes our man. 

BENTON: He's promised? 

barton: No. But he's ours. That makes your majority. 

BENTON: David, I'm eternally grateful. It's your doing. 
You've brought me to my life's goal. I can never forget it. 

BARTON [lightly]'. Nonsense, Tom. 

BENTON : Don't laugh me oflF. I mean it. Eternal faith — 
eternal friendship. I pledge them to you. 

168) 




"David Barton.* 



barton: Tom Benton — we're in politics, both of us. 

There's nothing eternal there — faith or friendship either. 

One word now. Keep away from the Legislators, or you'll 

spoil it all. 

[Barton^ amused at Benton's sober expression, goes 
into the Tavern. A servant comes out with two 
more glasses for John Smith T.] 

JOHN SMITH T I Thankee. That's thoughtful of the land- 
lord — very thoughtful. Benton. 

[Benton absent-mindedly sits at the Colonel's table, 

and takes up one of the glasses.] 
Now there's David Barton — he'll be elected. He's the 
smartest man in Missouri. Too bad he drinks so. And 
they do say — but I wouldn't think of repeating it. 

[Benton moves nervously. His mind is under the 

suspense of the election. He hardly hears John 

Smith T at first.] 
You've got a fighting chance, they tell me. I see Barton 
has brought Leduc around. That'll give you twenty-six 
votes. Too bad. You need twenty-seven, don't you? 

BENTON: Twenty-six? We have twenty-seven. 

JOHN SMITH t: You havc twenty-six, counting Leduc. 
Poor Dan'l Ralls — He'd vote for you, but he's too far gone. 
Can't stand, the Doctor tells me. 

BENTON: What's that — Ralls? 

JOHN SMITH T : Dying, poor fellow. May live 'till morn- 
ing. May not. There goes your majority, I'm afraid, 
Benton. 

[A pause.] 
I'd be glad to help you. Couldn't get you any more votes, 
but I might pick off a couple of the opposition. Eh? 

BENTON [Rising, with a sudden revulsion of feeling) : What 
are you saying, Colonel? 

[69] 



JOHN SMITH t: Not if you don't want me to, Benton. 
But you ought n't to be so touchy — you picked off young 
Lucas. 

BENTON: God help you — you old devil. Don't remind 
me — . . . .Don't — 

[He goes into the Tavern.] 
JOHN SMITH t: Bless me, there's Tom Benton now. 
Who'd have thought he'd be so squeamish. As if he had 
young Lucas dead — around his neck. Politician, too. 
He'll go to Washington — and stay there. He's a coming 
man. But he is squeamish. 

[He finishes the toddy y still meditating.] 
Damned peculiar. 

[It is night. In the room above the Legislature in 

joint session. Scott, Bates, Gamble and Lawless 

are on the balcony, watching.] 

GENERAL ASHLEY: If there is no objection, the roll will 
be called by districts and counties. For United States 
Senators, in accordance with the law passed by this 
Legislature, and duly signed by the Governor on September 
28th. Mr. Clerk. 

THE clerk: District of the Counties of Howard and 
Cooper. 

A member: For David Barton, ten votes; for Thomas 
Benton, four; for John B. C. Lucas, six. 

THE clerk: Montgomery and Franklin. 

SECOND member: For David Barton, five; for Thomas 
Benton, three; for Nathaniel Cook, two. 

THE clerk: Sainte Genevieve. 

THIRD member: For Nathaniel Cook, five; for John B. C. 
Lucas, three; for Henry Elliott, two. 

THE clerk: Cape Girardeau and New Madrid. 

[70] 



MC ferron: For Thomas Benton, two; for Nathaniel 
Cook, six; for John Rice Jones, four. 

[Aside to his delegation.] 
Is that the way you've agreed to, ye terriers? 

[Aloud.] 
And for David Barton, one; for Judge John B. C. Lucas, 
one. 
THE clerk: Saint Louis. 

JOSHUA barton: For David Barton, eight. 

[ There is a pause, and Scott speaks aside to Lawless] 

SCOTT : Now let's see where Leduc stands. 

[Joshua Barton is evidently putting some question 
to Leduc, who holds up his hand in assent.] 

JOSHUA barton: For Thomas Hart Benton, eight. 

THE clerk: Saint Charles. 

FOURTH member: For David Barton, four. 

[There is a rustle of applause among the members, 
put down by General Ashley's gavel.] 

SCOTT : That elects David. 

bates: Ssh. 

THE FOURTH MEMBER: For Bcutou, two; for Lucas, two. 

THE clerk: Jefferson and Washington. 

FIFTH member: For Benton, four; for Lucas, one; for 
John Rice Jones, three. 

SCOTT [In sudden alarm, to Bates and Lawless) : Where's 
Ralls? — he's not in his place. 

bates: With the Pike County delegation — 

gamble: He's not there! 

lawless: He was sure for Tom, wasn't he? 

SCOTT : His only chance. 

[71] 



THE clerk: Madison and Wayne. 

SIXTH member: For David Barton, three; for John B. C. 

Lucas, three. 

THE clerk: For Lincoln and Pike. 

[A pause. The clerk repeats his call.] 
For Lincoln and Pike. 

SEVENTH member: Our delegation is incomplete. Our 

leader, Daniel Ralls — 

[David Barton is seen leading in two of the Tavern 
servants, who carry Ralls on a bed. He is set down 
beside his delegation. A silence.] 

THE clerk: Lincoln and Pike. 

RALLS [Feebly]: For David Barton, four. For Thomas 

Hart Benton, four. 

[He falls backy faintly. The members close in 
around him. A shout is raised — ''Benton'' — 
''Benton and Barton'' — "Adjourn — adjourn." 
From the front door below, comes Benton. He 
pauses at the head of the steps, sees John Smith T, 
and starts down the other side. There is a shout 
from within — "Benton. Tom Benton" — Lawless' s 
voice.] . 

JOHN SMITH T [Rising ironically]: Senator Benton, felici- 
tations. I am delighted — and surprised. 

[Lawless bursts out, followed by Edward Bates and 

Hamilton Gamble.] 

LAWLESS, BATES and GAMBLE! Congratulations — Benton! 
Senator Benton! 

BENTON: My friends — I thank you. 
[The Host comes out.] 

THE host: Hurrah Benton — Senator Benton! 

BENTON: Thank you, landlord. Where's David Barton .^^ 

[72] 



THE HOST : He went up to Mr. Rail's room. 
BENTON: Ah yes — he would. And Mr. Leduc? 

THE host: He's with Major Chouteau and his party. 
They're going to have a little supper. 

BENTON : I wish you'd ask Mr. Leduc to step down here 
a moment. And Major Chouteau too. The whole party. 

THE host: I will, Senator. 

[ The Host goes in; groups of the citizens gather, and 
the Legislators come out, by twos and threes.] 

LAWLESS : Quite right, Tom. You ought to thank Leduc. 
But why the others? 

BENTON: It's not just a matter of thanks to Leduc. 
I have a duty to perform. My first duty as a Senator. 

[Isaac Henry approaches Benton familiarly and 

slaps him on the bach.] 

henry: Well, Benton — so you're elected. Glad of it. 
That's what editing the Enquirer has done for you. Now 
what are you going to do for the paper? 

BENTON [with dignity] : Mr. Henry, you ought to see that 
the connection between Benton and the Enquirer is 
automatically severed. I have served the paper to the 
best of my ability. I can recognize no obligation. 

[Major Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Leduc, Pratte, and a 
couple of other citizens come out. They approach 
Benton very affably.] 

CHOUTEAU : Well Colonel — I mean Senator — we offer you 
the congratulations. 

pratte: We take much pleasure in the news of your 

election. 

BENTON : One moment, gentlemen. Mr. Leduc, I thank 

[73] 



you heartily for your vote for me. I am glad your 
conscience so directed you. 

[Leduc bows.] 
But I have sent for you gentlemen on another matter. 
I have been acting as your attorney in the Spanish grant 
cases. They may at any time conflict with the duties of 
my office. I must now relinquish these cases. 

CHOUTEAU: But Colonel Benton, we thought — 

pbatte: Surely while you are in Washington — 

BENTON: My decision is final, gentlemen. I must drop 
your cases. 

leduc: But can you not reconsider? 

BENTON: No. 

PRATTE : Can you not name someone to take the cases for 
you in your absence.^* 

[Judge Lucas and Charless come onJ] 

CHOUTEAU: It would be unfortunate to lose the legal 
study you have given to the records. 

BENTON: I can't recommend anybody, I*m afraid. But 

Judge Lucas knows the records. 

[He speaks with open sarcasm and the Frenchmen 
are keenly offended. Judge Lucas smiles, a grim 
smile* The crowd laughs boisterously. Barton comes 
out and goes over to Benton, cheered as he passes.] 

LEDUC (angrily): David Barton, you told me — 

barton: M'sieu' Leduc, why don't you call me Senator .^^ 
Everybody does now. 

LEDUC : You have misled me. You have — 

barton: No, M'sieu' Leduc. I have only said I am 
likely to vote as my colleague, Senator Benton, votes. I 
can't quarrel with you. We can't quarrel with any of 

[74] 



you. You're all our constituents. Come along, Senator. 
BENTON: Where are we going? 

BARTON : That's a damn fool question. Where should we 

be going? 

[John Scott comes outy and Barton hails him,] 

Come here, Congressman Scott. 

[Scott falls in with the other twoy and the three face 

the crowd together.] 
Now to our will and testament! 

Judge Lucas, we're leaving you the Spanish land grant 
claims. Deal with them justly. Isaac Henry, Senator 
Benton delivers into your hands the Enquirer. You and 
Mr. Charless now share the responsibilities of the press — 
and may there never be peace between you. 

henry: Oh, look here now, Benton — 

BENTON: Senator Barton is quite right, Mr. Henry. I 
wash the printer's ink from my hands as we shake the 
dust of Saint Louis from our feet. 

barton: Mr. Charless, we leave it to you to restrict 
slavery in Missouri — or abolish it, if you prefer. 

charless: This is not a subject for raillery, Mr. Barton. 

BENTON: God knows that's true, Charless. 

[McNair comes out on the step.] 
MC nair: Your credentials, gentlemen. 

[He holds up documents; Bates immediately hands 

them over to Barton.] 
And our Constitution. Fight for it. 

SCOTT : Aye, we'll have to. 

BARTON : And to all of you — those who have been friends 
and those who have been enemies — Now our Constituents 
— Hail and farewell ! 
JOHN SMITH t: Whither away, Davy? 

[75] 



barton: To Washington, Colonel. To seek our fortunes 

in the paths of honor; to write our names high in history; 

to represent, in the Congress of the Great Republic, the 

sovereign State of Missouri. 

[With a flourish the three swing round and go offy 
left, the laughing and cheering crowd watching them 
of. The lights begin to fade as John Smith T's 
voice is heard.] 

JOHN SMITH t: Smart lads, those three. Off to Congress. 
I wonder, when they get there, if Congress'll let 'em in. 
[The scene disappears.] 



[76] 



MISSOURI 

One Hundred Years Ago 

ACT TWO 

Scene 2 

[It is now the Spring of the following year, 1821. 

The State has been erected and its government is in 

operation; hut it has not yet been admitted to the 

Union. 

Hamilton Gamble and Caroline enter along the 

terrace. At the front of the steps they pause, and 

she goes up, turning back at the doorway.] 

CAROLINE: Till this evening, then? 

gamble: At eight? 

CAROLINE: At eight. Mother will be so glad to see you. 
But you mustn't let her make you talk any business. 
She'll keep you working over her affairs too much, if we 
let her. And we're going back to St. Charles in the 
morning. 

gamble: I'm glad she trusts me. 

CAROLINE: So am I, Hamilton. It was a lovely walk. 
Till evening. 

THE hostess: Miss Caroline, your mother is calling 
for you. 

[She throws him a furtive kiss, which he returns 
as furtively. She goes in. Kibbie, very anxious 
and frightened, comes over to Gamble.] 

kibbie: Mr. Hamilton, sir — 

gamble: Yes, Kibbie. 

kibbie: You are a friend to Mrs. Coalter's family, ain't 
you? 

gamble: Yes, Kibbie. Why? 

[77] 



kibbie: Maybe you all know 'bout this contrac' Mrs. 
Coalter signed with me. Mr. Charles Lucas wrote it out 
for us — for Mandy and me. 

gamble: Yes, Kibbie. I know all about it. 

kibbie: I wonder what would happen if I couldn't pay 
that last 'stallment to-day. 

gamble: I don't know. Haven't you the money, 
Kibbie? 

kibbie: I had 'most all the money — but I bet on a 
race. You know how it goes, Mr. Hamilton. 

GAMBLE : Yes. I know how it goes. 

kibbie: Mr. Charles Lucas, he warned me. 

gamble: Well, what can I do, Kibbie? 

kibbie: I don't know, Mr. Hamilton. I don't know 
where I stand. I lost all my money and then some more, 
trying to get it back. I had to have it. I don't know 
now — is Mandy mine, or is she Mrs. Coalter's, or can this 
here River Man take her away from me? 

gamble: River Man? 

kibbie: Yes sir. You know who I mean. He's a bad 
man, Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Charles warned me, and I 
ain't never bet till now — 

gamble: Kibbie, this looks serious. Did you put your 
mark on any papers? 

kibbie; Yes, Mr. Hamilton. I had to. 

gamble: That's bad. I'll do what I can. Perhaps 
Mrs. Coalter will give you more time. Let me have your 
contract. 

kibbie: 

[ Taking the leather pouch from his neck.] 

[78] 



Here it is, Mr. Hamilton — and my other papers too. All 

I got. 

[Gamble takes the papers and goes off, bowing to 
Mr. Charless and Judge Lucas, who are just en- 
tering.} 

CHARLESs: Kibbie, where's the landlord .^^ 

kibbie: He's just coming, Mr. Charless. 

[The Host appears in the doorway and Kibbie 
goes.] 

THE host: Mr. Charless, Judge Lucas — how are you, 
gentlemen.'^ 

charless: Good afternoon, landlord. We've just heard 
that Governor Clark has returned from Virginia. 

THE host: So he has. Came this morning. And he'll 
be here directly, I reckon. Governor McNair is waiting 
for him. 

charless: What news does he bring from Washington? 

the host: You'd better see him yourself, gentlemen. 
But he did say one thing — our Senators haven't been 
seated. And John Scott — 

LUCAS : What's this? Heard Scott spoke in the House. 

host: No. They would only admit hini as a delegate. 
And he wouldn't accept that. 

LUCAS: Off with such a flourish — those three. . . . And 
the door shut in their faces. 

HOST : It's that law about the free negroes. 

LUCAS : That's the pretext, yes. 

CHARLESS : It shows which way the great wind is blowing. 

LUCAS: The wind of the future. . . . May be. 

[A group of Indians, in ceremonial dress, enter.] 

[79] 



THE chief: White father — the Governor — he here? 
host: Governor McNair? 

THE chief: White father — the Red Head. No McNair. 

We come far. Beyond meeting trails. Must see Red 

Head. 

JUDGE LUCAS: Red Head here. Sunset. 

the chief: Good. We stay. 

[The Indians sit in a circle, at the right.] 

CHARLESS: You scc how we stand — the new state still 

entangled with the old territory. They come from 

beyond the State border. Peaceful, I hope. 

JUDGE LUCAS : God grant it. We are a State — isolated, 

alone, beset on all our borders. God give us peace — 

on all. 

[Enter the River Man, with a couple of rough looking 

retainers.] 

THE RIVER MAN : Landlord, you have a boy named Kibbie 

working here? 

THE host: Yes. 

THE RIVER man: Belong to you? 

THE host: No. He's free. 

THE RIVER man: What about this wench, Mandy? 

THE host: She's his wife. They both work for me. 

THE RIVER man: Docs shc belong to you? 

THE host: No. 

THE RIVER man: Is shc free, too? 

THE host: No. 

THE RIVER man: That's what I want to know. She be- 
longs to him, then? 

JUDGE LUCAS : What have you to do with them? 

[80] 



THE RIVER man: I don't have to argue it with you, 

Judge. I know now how it stands. I'll be back for the 

wench. 

[He turns on his heel and goes off, his followers 

falling in behind him.] 

JUDGE LUCAS: Landlord, if anything happens to Kibbie 
or to Mandy, send for me. My son took an interest in 
them. 

THE host: Here come's Governor Clark now. I'll tell 

Governor McNair. 

[The Host goes in as William Clark enters. He is 
a man of fifty, serious and reserved. Mr. Charless 
and Judge Lucas greet him.] 

charless: Welcome home, Governor Clark. You have 
news for us, the landlord says.^^ 

WILLIAM CLARK: Ncws — ycs. But not of good cheer, 
I'm afraid. 

[McNair and Edward Bates come out of the Tavern. 

It is now sunset.] 

MC nair: Governor Clark — mighty glad to welcome you 
back to Missouri. You've been a long time in Virginia. 
I trust Mrs. Clark's health is improved. 

CLARK: I thank you, McNair. And I must congratulate 
you on your election. It is far better so. 

MCNAIR: I'm not so sure. You still have authority in 
some places where I haven't. These Indians won't even 
talk to me. 

[The Indian group has arisen and now approach 

Clark.] 

THE chief: White Father. The sun sets clear, and the 
moon is peaceful. You come back. 

CLARK: These are good words, my children. 

[81] 



THE chief: We want council talk with you. No talk 
with McNair. Talk with you. When? 

CLARK: To-morrow the fire will be lighted in my council 
lodge. 

THE chief: Good. Tomorrow sun, we make true talk 
by your council fire. We are your children. 
[The Indians solemnly go off.] 

MC nair: You see? 

CLARK: They have been my friends for many years — 
ever since Lewis and I went up the Missouri. And I am 
still in some authority over the territory beyond the State 
boundaries. A difficult authority, Governor. 

MC NAIR : On behalf of the State, I pledge you every 
possible assistance. 

CLARK: I am grateful, and I hope none will be needed. 

[Pierre Chouteau and Leduc come on^ all the 
group eager to hear Clark's news from the East.] 

CHARLEss: You spokc of news from Washington, Gover- 
nor Clark? 

CLARK: Yes. Dark news. Congress still resists. Scott 
and Benton and Barton work steadily in the lobby. 
They have made powerful friends, Henry Clay, for one. 
But the deadlock continues. There seems to be no end. 
Our statehood is blocked. 

MCNAIR: No. Our State exists. We are no longer a 
territory. We can not bring back the territorial govern- 
ment. We can not set back Time. We are a State. 
And in the end the Union must admit us. 

CLARK: You are full of courage — all of you. But I have 
just come from one whose word I revere beyond that of 
any living man. If you could hear him — 

[82] 



LUCAS : We know of whom you speak. Tell us. 

[There is a pause, as Clark begins, very gravely.] 

CLARK: In Washington I heard the halls ring with the 
struggle. In the end a struggle for power. A new line 
of political battle. North against South. Noise and 
tumult, and no one ready to yield. Then I rode over 
into the Virginia Hills. To Monticello. To me, a 
shrine; the home of a man I have greatly loved, and 
deeply honored. In his great verandah I found him — 
found Jefferson. He was working over the plans of his 
University — out there in the wind. He had bits of 
brick to keep his drawings from blowing away. He is 
very old now. And he seemed so happy, planning — 
planning so rich a future. He looked up and smiled. 
Then, as he withdrew his spirit from the work before 
him, his brow clouded and knotted. I spoke of Mis- 
souri, of our statehood denied. *'North against South," 
he said. "In the gloomiest moment of the Revolution, I 
never felt such apprehension— such a portent. . . . Like 
a fire in the night ... it may mean the death knell of 
the Union." His plans blew around him, unheeded. 
He sat fixing his eyes far off — trying to see the end. 

LUCAS : We, lacking his vision — what can we know of 
it.? 

mcnair: We cannot know. We can only fight through. 

CHARLEss: And what more did Jefferson say.'^ 

CLARK: He wouldn't talk of it. But when I was leaving 
he gave me this. A sketch he traced from his plan. 
[He spreads out a tracing to show them.] 

LUCAS: Strange. A wall — serpentine. 
CLARK: He said. "I wanted a wall around my gardens 
at our University. We have not the brick enough, they 
told me. *Make the wall thin,' I said. 'It will not 

[83] 



stand,' they say. I thought about it. Then we built the 
walls thin, but serpentine, and they stood firm." With 
that he smiled, as if he had given me good counsel, and 
put this tracing in my hands. 

LUCAS: And so he had. 

MC nair: 

[Shaking off the spell of Jefferson*s counsel.] 
Come in, gentlemen. Come in. 

[They go into the Tavern as Kibbie appears in the 
servants* doorway. 

kibbie: Now look here, Mandy. I can't help what's 
done. I give the contrac' to Mr. Hamilton. 

MANDY [coming out in pursuit]: Don't tell me what all 
you can't help. You didn't have to bet, did you.? 

kibbie: N — no. 

mandy: And after what Mr. Charles told you, too. And 
you promised him — 

[The River Man returns, accompanied by the Slave 

Dealer.] 

THE RIVER man: Well, Kibbie, have you got that money 
for me? 

kibbie : No, sir. I ain't got no money. 

mandy: What for do you want money off him? 

THE RIVER man: That's none of your affair, young 
woman. Now look here, Kibbie. Here's your note of 
hand. You know what that is.^^ 

kibbie: I ain't rightly sure if I do. 

THE river man: Well, this shows how you owe me one 
hundred dollars. You say you haven't got it. All right, 
I'll take your property for it. 
[ To the Slave Dealer.] 
[84] 




"Hamilton Rowan Gamble." 



Look her over. She's mine now. 

kibbie: No she ain't yours. You all can't take her. 

THE RIVER man: Shc's yours, ain't she? 

kibbie: Yes, she's mine, 'fore God. 

THE river man: You own her, don't you? 

kibbie: I don't know 'bout that, but she's mine. 

THE RIVER man: Can you prove it? 

[Kibbie starts to take out the leather bag around his 
neck.] 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Comc HOW — let's see what writin's 
you've got for her. 

mandy: Kibbie, don't you show them no writin's. You 
go long — you. I belongs to Mrs. Coalter, I do. 

THE RIVER man: She lies. I know better. 

[He snatches the leather bag from Kibble's hand, 

and opens it. It is empty.] 
Papers — hell! He ain't got even a 'mancipation on him. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: I kuow he ain't. Good reason, too. 
The landlord here said he owned him. He lied. I own 
him. 

THE RIVER man {to his folloxoers) : Take 'em both, boys. 
To the boat. Quick. 

kibbie: Don't you touch her, and don't you touch me. 
I'll kill you, so help me, I will. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Hear that — threats. 

mandy: Don't strike, Kibbie — don't strike. O God — 

dear God! 

[She crouches, screaming, at Kibbie's feet where 
he stands at bay against the Tavern wall. Mr. 
Charless comes out.] 

[851 



CHARLESs: What's this? What do you want? 

THE BiVER man: Don't you interfere. 

kibbie: Mr. Charless — You know I's a free man. 

THE SLAVES DEALER : What's he got to do with it? Come 
along. 

mandy: They're trying to take us, Mr. Charless — down 
the river — down the river. 

[Judge Lucas joins Charless on the steps.] 

kibbie: He's got a paper — 

charless: Paper. Nonsense. There's no way he can 
take you. Don't be afraid, Kibbie. 

kibbie: No, Mr. Charless. 

THE RIVER man: What are you waiting for, boys? Take 
them both. 

[His followers make a rush for Kibbie and Mandy. 

Mr. Charless steps down and raises his cane.] 

charless: Stand off. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Go ou. They're damned slave 
stealing abolitionists, both of them. 

[Pointing to Mr. Charless and Judge Lucas.] 

JUDGE LUCAS : Let be. Go now. There's law here. 

THE RIVER man: Law be damned. I've been waiting for 

my chance at you. Take those niggers. 

[The river gang rushes. Mr. Charless and Judge 
Lucas lay about them with their sticks y shouting. 
The melee sways back and forward before the 
Tavern steps, the River Man trying to drag Kibbie 
and Mandy away, the Judge and Charless striving 
to intercede for them. Hamilton Gamble comes in 
and joins in the defense. The River Man is re- 
inforced by others of his kind. At the height of the 
[86] 



rioU McNair enters, followed by Governor Clark; 
the Host, and others from the Tavern.] 

MC NAiR : Order ! Order there ! 

[He starts down the steps.] 

THE RIVER man: Back, boys. It's McNair. 

MC nair: What does this mean? 

THE slave dealer : They're slave stealers— abolitionists. 

They— 

THE river man: Mum, there. It's no good. 

CHARLESs: These men were trying to take Kibble's wife. 

mandt: They was fo' takin' us down the river. 

MC NAIR: 

[To the River Man.] 
I give you three minutes to get out of my reach. And 
that means— State of Missouri. 

THE SLAVE DEALER: Is that legal? Is that government? 
MC nair: It's government. 

THE RIVER man: We'd better be going. 

[The mob from the river melts swiftly out of sight.] 

gamble: Here, Kibbie. 

[He hands back the documents and Kibbie jputs 

them back in his leather pouch.] 
mandy: God bless ye, Mr. Hamilton. 
MC nair: What was it. Judge Lucas? 
LUCAS : Beasts of prey. Hunters of men. 
CHARLESS : They tried to take Kibbie, here. He's a free 
man. We all know — 

MCNAIR: Yes, he's free. And we're bound to protect 
him. But you see the trouble it makes. It's this sort of 

187] 



thing the law's for — the very thing they're blocking the 
State with. 

MANDY (sobbing): It ain't Kibble's fault he's free. 
His master made him free. 

LUCAS: It's not freedom that makes riot. It's slavery. 

mcnair: You're a bold speaking man, Judge Lucas. 
The Constitution covers all that. The law allows it. 

CLARK: You see — North against South. Pitted. . . . 
And between them, Missouri. The fire in the sky. . . . 

LUCAS: Slavery. And strife. The State. . . . God 

knows. 

[A shout is heard faintly at first, off stage at the 
left. It grows, and words begin to be distinguished 
—''The Governor''— ''McN air r ''A Despatch:' 
A few citizens come on, eagerly, from both sides. 
Then a Despatch Rider, followed by a crowd of 
people, among them John Smith T, McFerron, and 
nearly all the principal citizens.] 

THE DESPATCH RIDER: Is Govcrnor McNair here.'* 

Mc nair: I'm Governor McNair. 

THE DESPATCH RIDER: This for you, from Congressman 
Scott. 

[He delivers a packet. McNair opens it.] 

MC nair: 

[ To Bates. Giving him a letter from the packet.] 
From Barton. Look it over. Scott sends this. I told 
you it had to come. 

[He breaks the seal.] 

charless: From Washington? How lately? 

THE DESPATCH RIDER: I left the sccoud of March. He 
waited for President Monroe to sign. 

[88] 



mcnair: My friends, our enemies in Congress have 
given way at last. A second Compromise! 

CLARK: Serpentine! 

MC nair: 

[Holding up his hand for silence, reads.] 
At the instance of Henry Clay, a joint conference resolved 
that, on the passage of a Solemn Public Act by our Legis- 
lature, which shall declare assent to the fundamental 
condition that no citizen of another state shall be excluded 
from Constitutional rights and privileges within our 
borders, Missouri shall be admitted into the Union on an 
equal footing with the original States. And to this both 
houses of Congress have given their assent. 

[Cheers. The stage grows dark. Again the lights 

appear, and the crowd, redoubled, still exults over 

the news.] 



[89] 



MISSOURI 
One Hundred Years Ago 

THE EPILOGUE 

Trumpets — a long blast, and music of triumph. Lights 
glimmer faintly on a great tapestry y its sky of pale gold 
patterned with towering verdure. The lights grow more 
intense at the centre, and a majestic group is disclosed: 
Missouri, magnificent in celebration of the hundred years, 
flanked by figures of Liberty and Justice, Art and Faith. 

Below, Saint Louis in silver armour leads festival 
groups in homage to the State. 

CHORUS 

Greetings, Missouri, and high festival! 

A century has flown since first, a State 
The cheering pioneers saluted thee. And now 

In the full glow and fruitage of the years 
We give thee — Hail, Missouri — 

Hail and good harvest! 

SAINT LOUIS 

And by my voice a city, greeting thee 

Brings love and homage, and sets free the surge 

Of joyous spirits crying thee delight. 

MISSOURI 

My people! Clad for festival you come 

And I would not hold back the dancing foot 

Nor silence, for a moment, eager song. 

We have grown rich in gear and gold. And yet 

Are we not richer still in memories? 

Far back, the changing flags, the dauntless tread 

[90] 



The dreaming builders breaking virgin sod, 
The men who dared, in what a perilous hour 

The charter of our statehood's sovereignty 

Well we rejoice, 

Between the harvest and the hunter's Moon. 

Mine ears are filled with voices of the dead. 

Crying to me out of the long ago. 

Mine eyes are dazzled with the coming day. 

My shoulders droop beneath the weight of flowers. 

Well we rejoice, look back with pride, and meet 

Fearless, the marching of the onward years. 

STRIFE 

(Appearing below.) 
Why fearless? Have you then so soon forgot? 

MISSOURI 

Nay. I remember all, to-night. 

STRIFE 

You have forgotten me. 

MISSOURI 

Not so. 

STRIFE 

In every clashing hour through all these years 
I have been near you. Lo, I claim my right 
To stand among your chosen in the time 
Of your rejoicing. Who are these? 

MISSOURI 

Justice and Liberty — and Art and Faith. 

STRIFE 

My place is there. Make way. 

SAINT LOUIS 

Nay, Strife. Stand back. 

191] 



STRIFE 

I came in the beginning; came with slavery — 

MISSOURI 

And I have done with slavery. 

STRIFE 

Are you so sure? 

MISSOURI 

You plunged me then in wars that rent my house 
Well-nigh asunder. I remember well. 

STRIFE 

How many of your sons have died, through me- — 

MISSOURI 

I think upon my sons who died 
Exultantly. For they died well. They live 
In all my glories. And their battles gave 
Unto my farthest children's children, dreams 
Of heroical fire; and mighty names 
Leaders and Captains, written high in gold, 
Whose deathless deeds shall never cease to sing 
About my hearth-stone. 

STRIFE 

Still you deny me place? 

SAINT LOUIS 

We all deny thee. Strife. There is no honor. 
No station in solemnities, for thee. 

STRIFE 

Think you that Strife shall cease? 

MISSOURI 

Hold. This is true: if I be strong 

'Tis by thy ministry 

I will not fight anew 

Upon old issues. But the times to come 

[92] 



Are not without thee, Strife. Stand here. 

Remind me how the flowing of the world, 

The drone of years that pass unhistoried, 

May lull the soul to a luxurious ease, 

And blunt the silver lance of Destiny. 

Stand here. Not Strife, to me, but Power. Power 

For the struggle up the long slant future. 

And now, ye singing voices, soar again, 

And beat the earth beneath triumphant feet. 

Tonight a hundred springs' remembered flowers 

Blow from a hundred winters' melting snows; 

A hundred summers fill the ripening grain, 

A hundred harvests gather into one 

And I am crowned with all their garnered gold. 

[Strife, cloaked now and leaning on a sword, stands 

before her.] 

CHORUS 

Out of the struggle of old 

She came, proudly elate; 
Out of the struggle, behold 

Missouri, the State! 

Where two great rivers meet and mingle. 

And single 
Flow on to the sea 
She set her seal on the border — 

Gave order 
To slave and to free. 
And the light that gleams on the rivers 

And quivers 
Across on the bars 
Is the light of her battle-glory — 

The story 
She lifts — to the stars! 

[93] 



A hundred years of storm and sun 

A hundred years of growth and toil, 

But never a year to wish undone 
Nor a stain upon her soil. 



Lift up your hands, Missouri's sons- 
Lift hearts, Missouri's daughters. 
For tonight 

A century's beacon light 
Gleams o'er Missouri's waters. 
Yea, glad for all the years gone by. 
Serene to face the years to come, 

We lift our hands 

We lift our hearts 
Missouri, Missouri, to thee — 

We lift and pledge 

Our hands and hearts 
Missouri — Missouri — to thee ! 



[94] 



COMMITTEES IN CHARGE OF FESTIVALS ON 
TWELFTH STREET 

WEDNESDAY LAFAYETTE PAGEANT AND BALL 

Hector M. E. Pasmezoolu, Chairman 

Pageantry Mrs. N. A. McMillan 

Advisory Mrs. F. H. Littlefield 

Descendants Mrs. E. J. Walsh 

Entertainment Mrs. Lon O. Hocker 

Reception Mrs. W. D. Bagnell 

Stage D. D. Watson 

Music Chas. Galloway 

Dancing Miss E. F. Bates 

Properties Mrs. Everett Pattison 

Attendance Mrs. Leland Boogher 

Costumes Mrs. John S. Payne 

Public Safety J. N. McKelvey 

Publicity Mrs. Williard Bartlett 

THURSDAY CIVIC FESTIVAL 

Hon. Henry W. Kiel, Chairman 
Nelson Cunliff Rodowe H. Abeken 

Fred W. Pape Harry ter Braak 

FRIDAY MILITARY BALL AND FETE 

James R. Dunn, Chairman 

Pageantry Mrs. Frank DeGormo 

Master of Ceremonies. . .General E. V. Spencer 
Military Organizations. . . .Col. C. S. Thornton 



COMMITTEE ON CIVIC ASSOCIATION IN CHARGE OF 
INAUGURAL PARADE 
James R. Dunn, Chairman 

Grand Marshal Col. John H. Parker 

Adjutant Capt. S. R. Goodwin 

Line of March Major Clinton H. Fisk 

Transportation R. L. Morton 

Police Col. Martin O'Brien 

Martial Music Prof. W. S. Bryan 

Admissions Thomas D. Cannon 

SATURDAY MUSICAL FESTIVAL 

Mrs. Edith A. Goodwin, Chairman 

Massenchor Hugo Anschuetz 

f Noel Poepping 
Band 



Herbert Cost 
Dr. Arthur Proetz 
Otto J. Gossrau 



1951 



CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE OF ADVERTISING CLUB OF 
ST. LOUIS 

Co-operating with the Executive Committee of the St. Louis Missouri 
Centennial Association 



Maj. T. W. Van Schoiack, Chairman 



Bert Barnett 
Walter S. Donaldson 
Max Koenigsberg 



Arthur Siegel 
Frank W. Swann 



ADVERTISING COMMITTEE 

Daniel A. Ruebel, Chairman 



Paul S. Berdanier 
Hubert J. Echele 
Glenn W. Hutchinson 
Jos. p. Licklider 



Wm. H. Maas 
Edw. Mead 
Herbert O. Ross 
Arthur Schanuel 



196) 



M:^f '' 



